RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 A micro-Raman and X-ray study of erupted submarine pyroclasts from El Hierro (Spain) and its' astrobiological implications
A1 Lalla, Emmanuel Alexis
A1 Sanz Arranz, Aurelio
A1 López Reyes, Guillermo Eduardo
A1 Cote, K.
A1 Daly, M.
A1 Konstantinidis, Menelaos
A1 Rodríguez Losada, Jose Antonio
A1 Groemer, G.
A1 Medina García, Jesús
A1 Martínez Frías, Jesús
A1 Rull Pérez, Fernando
K1 Raman, Basalt, Astrobiology, Planetary science, Hydrothermalism
AB The pumice volcanic samples could have possible connections to the evolution of life and give us insight about their bio-geochemical processes related. In this regard, the samples from the volcanic eruption from La Restinga (El Hierro, Spain) in 2011 have been mainly studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. The research also includes analysis of XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Microscopy to support the Raman analysis. The results show that the Raman methods and mineral analyses are in strong agreement with the results obtained from other authors and techniques. The internal white foamy core (WFC) of the studied pumice samples shows amorphous silica, Fe-oxides, Ti-oxides, quartz, certain sulfates, carbonates, zeolites and organics. On the other hand, the external part (dark crust – DC) of these samples mainly presents primary-sequence mineralogy combined with some secondary alteration minerals such as olivine, feldspar, pyroxene, amorphous silica, and Fe-oxide. Raman spectroscopy detected other minerals not yet reported on these samples like barite, celestine and lepidocrocite. Also, the different chemometric and calibration methods for Raman spectroscopy in elemental composition, mineral classification and structural characterization has been successfully applied. From the astrobiological perspective, the research was also complemented with comparisons to other similar samples from terrestrial analogs. The main consideration was taking into account the proposed hypothesis regarding the potential behavior of the pumice as a substrate for the evolution of life. Furthermore, the detailed analysis from La Restinga eruption is coherent with the mineral phases and processes discussed from previous literature. The white internal part fulfills the conditions to work as an organic reservoir, confirmed by the detection of organic matter and selected minerals that could be used as energy sources for bacterial communities. The external layers of the samples work as a shielding layer to protect the organics from decay in extreme conditions. Finally, here we have demonstrated that the characteristics and advantages of Raman spectroscopy could help to assess and understand the possible biogenicity and alteration processes of any geological sample to be found on Mars.
PB Elsevier
SN 2214-5524
YR 2019
FD 2019
LK http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/46309
UL http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/46309
LA eng
NO Life Sciences in Space Research, Mayo 2019, vol. 21. p. 49-64
DS UVaDOC
RD 06-may-2024