Organic synthesis associated with serpentinization and carbonation on early Mars

Abiotic formation of organic molecules Mars rovers have found complex organic molecules in the ancient rocks exposed on the planet’s surface and methane in the modern atmosphere. It is unclear what processes produced these organics, with proposals including both biotic and abiotic sources. Steele et al . analyzed the nanoscale mineralogy of the Mars meteorite ALH 84001 and found evidence of organic synthesis driven by serpentinization and carbonation reactions that occurred during the aqueous alteration of basalt rock by hydrothermal fluids. The results demonstrate that abiotic production of organic molecules operated on Mars 4 billion years ago. —KTS