A Novel Integrated In-Situ Instrument for Analysis of Organic Biosignatures
Abstract
Detection, identification, and quantification of organic biosignatures are important aspects in the search for life at planetary bodies such as Ocean Worlds. New instruments are sought that are able to analyze complex organic molecules at concentrations, or relative abundances of organic molecules, which are not found in abiotic chemical systems; at lower concentrations than capable by current spaceflight instruments.
We will present the current status of an end-to-end system for life detection and organic inventory; consisting of an ice Sample Handling and Distribution (SHaD) subsystem, the Supercritical CO2 and Subcritical H2O Analysis instrument (SCHAN), and the Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (QITMS). The full system is currently being developed at JPL. SCHAN uses a holistic approach that integrates sample preparation (extraction and preconcentration) and chromatography, and is readily coupled with a mass spectrometer. The strength and novelty of the instrument are achieved by using only (subcritical) water and supercritical CO2 as solvents for the entire analysis process. The instrument is simple and provides reduced risk (science, operational, and engineering), because organic solvents and derivatization reagents are completely avoided. Supercritical CO2, which has similar solvent properties to n-hexane, is used for analysis of fatty acids, sterols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, glycerides and so on; down to 20 pg/mL. It is also used to lyse captured cells with a lower limit of detection of 104 cells/mL. Liquid chromatography (with only water) enables chiral analysis of amino acids with a 2.5 ng/mL median lower limit of detection. The QITMS is currently used in the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (S.A.M.), and has operated onboard the International Space Station. It has been modified to accommodate a higher mass range (m/z ≤600) in order to detect important organic biosignatures that have been extracted and separated by SCHAN. A flight-like ion optic interface is being developed that is compatible with atmospheric ionization for the next-generation life detection instruments. The fully integrated, end-to-end, system could provide a simple and low-risk approach for organic-seeking or life-detection-focused missions to Solar System bodies like Mars, Enceladus, or Europa.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022AGUFM.P52B..08A