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Project Reports

• Fractionation of Transition Metal Isotopes

  The primary focus of this research is to determine if fractionations of transition metal isotopes can be used as biomarkers. We are also interested in the possible use of such fractionations to study changes in metal geochemical cycling through time, which could provide insight into past changes in environmental conditions and/or changing use of metals in biochemistry. The biomarker applications are of primary interest to the JPL/Caltech Team. The other applications are also of interest to the Harvard Team, which also supports this research.

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 5.0 7.0 8.0

• Biological Influences on Weathering

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 5.0 6.0 8.0 12.0 13.0

• Studies of Biogenic Greenhouse Gases on the Early Earth

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: None Selected

• Impact Frustration and Subsequent Generation of Biologically Tenable Climates on Earth and Mars

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 11.0 12.0 14.0

• NO TITLE – Mark Allen/ JPL

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 8.0

• Origin of Martian Soils

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 5.0

• NO TITLE – Marilyn L. Fogel – JPL

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 5.0 6.0 7.0

• Fe Isotope Biosignatures

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 3.0 5.0 8.0 11.0 13.0

• Coevolution of Life and Planets

  The Kirschvink lab has focused on several aspects of interest to the National Astrobiology Institute during the past 1.5 years, including evaluation and identification of Precambrian biosignatures, testing the Panspermia hypothesis with the Martian Meteorite ALH84001, placing constraints on Life on Europa, assessing effect of the Paleoproterozoic â??Snowball Earth’. Members of the group include Postdoctoral Scholar J.W. Hagadorn, JPL Postdoctoral visitor Eric Gaidos, Graduate Student Benjamin Weiss, and Undergraduate Students Francis Macdonald and Tim Raub.

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 14.0 17.0

• Organic Molecules as Biosignatures

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 7.0 8.0

• Mars as a Possible Habitat for Prebiotic or Biotic Activity

  The focus of the work has been on examining aspects of the martian environment that are relevant to Mars as a possible habitat for prebiotic or biotic activity. This work has examined the modern and the ancient martian environments.

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: None Selected

• Co-Evolution of Planets and Biospheres: Lessons From Earth and Mars

  ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 5.0 6.0 7.0