RT Conference Proceedings
T1 Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of cyanobacteria in carbonate matrices under simulated Martian environment
A1 García-Gómez, Laura
A1 Delgado-Pérez, Tomás
A1 Fortes-Román, Francisco Javier
A1 Laserna-Vázquez, José Javier
A1 Cabalín-Robles, Luisa María
A1 Del Rosal Padial, Yolanda Remedios
A1 Lucena, Patricia
K1 Marte (Planeta) -- Atmósfera
K1 Cianobacterias
K1 Espectroscopía de plasma inducido por láser
AB The finding on the Martian surface of hydrated salt minerals, like carbonates and sulphates, and their interpretation as deriving from the desiccation of old bodies of water, has provided an evidence of liquid water activity on the surface of Mars [1]. These evaporite environments and their saline deposits are now a chief goal for planetary missions devoted to the search for fossil Martian life. Such minerals have the possibility of trapping and preserving over geologic times a biological record made up of halophilic extremophiles [1]. The existence of species of cyanobacteria that inhabit rock substrates on Earth, capable of growing in environments considered extreme, makes them ideal organisms for studying biological responses in different environmental conditions [2]. One possible organism detection strategy consists in the study of the most relevant emission lines and molecular bands attributed to presence of life by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). However, the detection of these species can be complex as LIBS is sensitive to environmental conditions, such as the atmosphere composition and pressure, and could contribute to this signal [3].In the present study, several species of cyanobacteria with dissimilar extremophilic characteristics [4] (tolerance to desiccation and salinity) were examined by LIBS. The identification and discrimination of cyanobacteria on carbonate substrates was based on organic signal emissions (C, C2, CN...) and the presence of other microelements (Fe, Si, Cu, K…). For this purpose, and to evaluate the influence of the surrounding atmosphere on the plasma composition and its contribution on LIBS signal, a set of samples including Arthrospira platensis (commercial), Microcystys aeruginosa (cultured) and Chroococcidiopsis sp. (natural samples) was analyzed under i) Mars-analogue atmosphere and ii) low air vacuum (7mbar)
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/23475
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/23475
LA eng
NO Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026