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2002 Annual Science Report

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Reporting  |  JUL 2001 – JUN 2002

Fractionation of Transition Metal Isotopes

4 Institutions
3 Teams
0 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites

Project Progress

The focus of this research is to determine if fractionations of transition metal isotopes can be used as biosignatures. We are also interested in the possible use of such fractionations to study changes in metal geochemical cycling, which could provide insight into environmental change and/or biochemical evolution. The latter applications are pursued jointly with the Harvard Team.

In Year 4, we continued examination of Fe isotopes and began examining biological effects on Mo isotopes.

Fe isotope efforts focused primarily on the study of isotope effects during mineral weathering, in collaboration with Prof. S. Brantley (PSU Team). We continue to find evidence that Fe isotopes are fractionated during leaching by biogenic ligands. This fractionation is larger than in the absence of strong Fe-chelating ligands. This suggests two things. First, Fe isotope fractionation by bacteria may occur primarily during Fe uptake. Second, siderophores may leave a uniquely biogenic “fingerprint” during weathering. We are exploring the latter possibility by examining the Fe isotope composition of paleosols, with a particular focus on the 2.7 Ga Mt. Roe paleosol sampled during the ’01 MtEE expedition (see below), in collaboration with R. Rye (University of Southern California (USC)). These Fe studies were conducted, in part, during evaluation of a “3rd generation” MC-ICP-MS instrument at the ThermoFinnigan factory in Bremen, Germany.

Mo isotope efforts have focused mostly on paleoredox applications, primarily in our activities with the Harvard Team. However, we have also initiated studies (again, with Brantley’s group) of Mo isotope fractionation during mineral leaching. Intriguingly, fractionation in this system occurs during uptake of Mo into bacteria, but apparently not during leaching itself.

  • PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
  • PROJECT MEMBERS:
    Ariel Anbar
    Project Investigator

    Susan Brantley
    Collaborator

    Robert Rye
    Collaborator

    Stefan Weyer
    Collaborator

    Jane Barling
    Research Staff

    G. Arnold
    Doctoral Student

    K. Klochko
    Doctoral Student

    J. Roe
    Doctoral Student

    Shawn Domagal-Goldman
    Graduate Student

    A. Stewart
    Undergraduate Student

  • RELATED OBJECTIVES:
    Objective 5.0
    Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment.

    Objective 7.0
    Identify the environmental limits for life by examining biological adaptations to extremes in environmental conditions.

    Objective 8.0
    Search for evidence of ancient climates, extinct life and potential habitats for extant life on Mars.