The detection of biomarkers in evaporite matrices using a portable Raman instrument under Alpine conditions
Abstract
The identification of relatively low concentrations of the biomarkers in experimentally prepared evaporitic matrices using a portable Raman spectrometer(785 nm laser) was tested. The instrument was able to detect nucleobases thymine and adenine at concentrations of 1 wt% in the gypsum matrix outdoors at a low ambient temperature of MINUS SIGN 10 ◦C and at an altitude of 2860 m (Pitztal, Austria).
Amino acids glycine and alanine were unambiguously detected at 10 wt%. The main Raman features: strong, medium and partially weak intensity bands were observed in good agreement with the reference spectra for individual compounds.
The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of a miniaturised Raman spectrometer to be able to cope with the various exobiologically related tasks that can be expected in the future planetary surface exploration missions.