Scientists searching for evidence of life on Mars have gained a better understanding of what to look for thanks to a new study involving Algerian gypsum. The sample, which contains ancient microbial fossils embedded in the mineral, was analyzed using a laser-powered mass spectrometer.
Researchers believe that Martian lakes and rivers once existed between 4.1 and 3.7 billion years ago, leaving behind sulfate minerals like gypsum. These minerals can preserve biological structures and chemical biosignatures, making them an excellent terrestrial analog for Martian deposits.
The study found long, twisting filaments of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the Algerian gypsum sample. This combination of fossils and minerals is significant because dolomite, which was dissolved in acidic environments, could be formed by prokaryotic life on Mars.
Future Mars missions should look for dolomite and clay in gypsum-rich samples as a potential clue to finding evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet. However, more research is needed to confirm the method’s effectiveness, particularly in distinguishing true biosignatures from abiotic mineral formations.
The findings are a major step towards searching for life on Mars, with upcoming missions like the European Space Agency’s Rosalind Franklin rover and NASA’s Perseverance rover scheduled to launch in the coming years.
Source: https://www.space.com/mars-microbes-laser-rock-quarry-algeria