NAI
2012 Annual Science Report
Montana State University
Reporting | SEP 2011 – AUG 2012
Nitrate and Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia on Iron-Sulfur Minerals
Project Summary
Conversion of nitrate and nitrite may have contributed to the formation of ammonia—a key reagent in the formation of amino acids—on the prebiotic Earth. Results suggest that the presence of iron mono sulfide facilitates the conversion of nitrate and nitrite. Nitrite conversion is, however, much faster than the conversion of nitrate.
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Institutions
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Teams
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Publications
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Field Sites
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Alex Gordon
Doctoral Student
Alexander Smirnov
Doctoral Student
Soujanya Singireddy
Unspecified Role
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 3.1
Sources of prebiotic materials and catalysts
Objective 3.2
Origins and evolution of functional biomolecules
Objective 3.3
Origins of energy transduction
Objective 7.1
Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials
Objective 7.2
Biosignatures to be sought in nearby planetary systems
