Asteroidal Water Within Fluid Inclusion-Bearing Halite in an H5 Chondrite, Monahans (1998)

Abstract

Crystals of halite and sylvite within the Monahans (1998) H5 chondrite contain aqueous fluid inclusions. The fluids are dominantly sodium chloride-potassium chloride brines, but they also contain divalent cations such as iron, magnesium, or calcium. Two possible origins for the brines are indigenous fluids flowing within the asteroid and exogenous fluids delivered into the asteroid surface from a salt-containing icy object.

Chemical composition of the Kobe meteorite; Neutron-induced prompt gamma ray analysis study.

“…In fact, Zolensky et al (1999) found halite crystals in the Monahans ordinary chondrite. Among halogens, chlorine can be nondestructively determined in chondritic meteorites by PGA.…”

Halococcus dombrowskii sp. nov., an archaeal isolate from a Permian alpine salt deposit.

“…Further work, which included the culturing of strains as well as the analysis of uncultured samples Stan-Lotter et al, 1999 ;Radax et al, 2001), revealed vast biodiversity within the viable haloarchaeal community in rock salt, but this biodiversity has yet to be fully comprehended. In view of the potential longevity of these haloarchaeal organisms , it has been suggested that they may be interesting candidates to be considered when targeting the search for extraterrestrial forms of life, particularly since halite has been detected in outer space (Gooding, 1992 ;McCord et al, 1998 ;Zolensky et al, 1999 ;Whitby et al, 2000). To be able to identify potential signatures of micro-organisms in extraterrestrial materials, it is necessary to have as extensive a record of terrestrial forms of extremophilic life as possible.…”

El origen de la vida desde un punto de vista geológico

“…Debido a que sólo unas cuantas de las inclusiones fluidas muestran burbujas, se estima una temperatura de formación inferior a 100°C, asumiendo una presión baja. Asimismo, la abundancia de inclusiones fluidas secundarias, generalmente debidas a fracturas después de haberse formado el cristal, señala que el sistema hidrotermal siguió activo después de haberse depositado la evaporita (Zolensky et al, 1999).…”

“…Longitud de la barra: 5 µm. L, líquido; V, vapor (Tomado de Zolensky et al, 1999). Tierra, se agrega que la probabilidad calculada para el origen accidental de un ser vivo es muy remota, por lo que se está prestando una gran atención al origen extraterrestre.…”