RT Conference Proceedings
T1 Detection of indigenous organic matter in rocks from the interpretation of carbon molecular forms in the laser-induced plasma.
A1 García-Gómez, Laura
A1 Cabalín-Robles, Luisa María
A1 Lucena Navarro, Patricia
A1 Delgado-Pérez, Tomás
A1 Fortes-Román, Francisco Javier
A1 Laserna-Vázquez, José Javier
K1 Exobiología
K1 Espectroscopía de plasma inducido por láser
K1 Rocas sedimentarias
AB Oil shale, a sedimentary rock containing organic matter and a variety of inorganic minerals including carbonates andkerogens, serves as a significant source of organic material on Earth [1]. Kerogen, the most abundant form of organicmatter, differs in chemical composition based on the microorganisms that contributed to its formation [2]. Laser-inducedbreakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful analytical technique used on the Mars rover, allowing elementalcharacterization of Martian rocks, soils, and sediments.This study presents the first-ever detection of natural organic matter in oil shale using LIBS under simulated Martianconditions. Through an analysis of emitting species including CN and C2, LIBS successfully identifies the presence oforganic compounds in this sedimentary rock. The ability to detect and characterize natural organic matter in oil shale,known for its potential to suggest the existence of ancient life, holds significant relevance in astrobiology. Furthermore,this information contributes to the identification of biosignatures and aids in the development of planetary explorationstrategies.Oil shale samples were analyzed using LIBS under simulated Martian conditions after being crushed, pressed intopellets, and subjected to pyrolysis to remove organic matter. The analysis revealed significant changes in the infraredspectra, confirming the absence of aliphatic hydrocarbons after pyrolysis [3]. The LIBS results demonstrated thepresence of molecular species associated with hydrocarbons, such as CN and C2, through distinct spectral emissions.The absence of these emissions in the pyrolyzed sample further supported the detection of organic matter originatingfrom kerogen.
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/27723
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/27723
LA eng
NO Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 22 ene 2026