Stable carbon isotope evolution of formaldehyde on early Mars.

ABSTRACT: Organic matter in the Martian sediments may provide a key to understanding the prebiotic chemistry and habitability of early Mars. The Curiosity rover has measured highly variable and ¹³C-depleted carbon isotopic values in early Martian organic matter whose origin is uncertain. One hypothesis suggests the deposition of simple organic molecules generated from ¹³C-depleted CO derived from CO₂ photochemical reduction in the atmosphere. Here, we present a coupled photochemistry-climate evolution model incorporating carbon isotope fractionation processes induced by CO₂ photolysis, carbon escape, and volcanic outgassing in an early Martian atmosphere of 0.5-2 bar, composed mainly of CO₂, CO, and H₂ to track the evolution of the ca

SUBMITTER: Koyama S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11408639 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature