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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
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An Experimental Protocol for Studying Mineral Effects on Organic Hydrothermal Transformations
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Diverse organic molecules on Mars revealed by the first SAM TMAH experiment
Amy J Williams1, Jennifer L Eigenbrode2, Maëva Millan2,3,4
1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. amywilliams1@ufl.edu.
Nature Communications
|April 21, 2026
Summary
Curiosity rover detected over 20 diverse organic molecules in 3.5-billion-year-old Martian sandstones. These findings reveal preserved organic matter within Gale crater bedrock, offering clues to ancient Martian environments.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
- Organic Geochemistry
Background:
- The search for organic matter on Mars is crucial for understanding past habitability.
- Previous discoveries in Gale crater include simple aromatic, S-heterocyclic, and aliphatic organic molecules.
- Clay-bearing sandstones in Glen Torridon are a target for investigating ancient organic preservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the in situ detection of diverse organic molecules in ancient Martian bedrock.
- To analyze organic matter preserved within clay-bearing sandstones of the Knockfarrill Hill member.
- To assess the effectiveness of the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite in detecting preserved organics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover.
- Employed a tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) wet chemistry experiment to liberate organic molecules.
- Analyzed released compounds using evolved gas analysis (EGA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Main Results:
- Detected over 20 distinct organic molecules, including benzothiophene and methyl benzoate.
- Identified diverse thermochemolysis products, such as single and dicyclic aromatic molecules.
- Confirmed the release of molecules from ancient macromolecular or free organic matter within Martian bedrock.
Conclusions:
- The SAM instrument successfully liberated and detected diverse organic molecules preserved for ~3.5 billion years.
- Martian bedrock in Gale crater contains preserved organic matter despite diagenesis and radiation exposure.
- These findings contribute to the understanding of organic preservation and potential past life on Mars.
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