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Simulation of the Viking biology experiments: an overview
Journal of Molecular Evolution
|December 1, 1979
Summary
Ground-based simulations using oxidants and clays reasonably explain Mars biology experiment data. These findings help resolve discrepancies between Viking GCMS and Labeled Release experiments regarding Martian organics.
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Planetary Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Viking biology experiments on Mars yielded ambiguous results regarding the presence of life.
- Subsequent ground-based studies have attempted to simulate Martian conditions to interpret these findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconcile conflicting data from the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) and Labeled Release (LR) experiments.
- To investigate whether abiotic chemical reactions could explain the Viking results.
Main Methods:
- Simulating Martian surface conditions using analogues such as strong oxidants, UV-irradiated materials, iron-containing clays, and iron salts.
- Comparing simulation results with data obtained from Viking's GCMS and LR experiments.
Main Results:
- Several experimental simulations successfully mimicked aspects of the Martian data.
- These simulations suggest that abiotic processes involving oxidants and iron compounds could explain the observed chemical signatures.
Conclusions:
- The apparent contradiction between the GCMS (no organics detected) and LR (organics decomposed) experiments can be explained by abiotic chemical reactions.
- Ground-based simulations provide a plausible non-biological explanation for the Viking biology results, highlighting the complexity of interpreting extraterrestrial chemical data.
