Nitrogen isotopic fractionation during abiotic synthesis of organic solid particles

Kuga, M.; Carrasco, Nathalie; Marty, Bernard; Marrocchi, Yves; Bernard, Sylvain; Rigaudier, Thomas; Fleury, Benjamin; Tissandier, L.

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2014.02.037

Cited by 25 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 100 publications

(151 reference statements)

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“…The boxes drawn with dashed-lines represent hypothetical reservoirs of carbon in our experiment for which isotopic compositions have not yet been determined. increase in the N/C ratio is accompanied by a decreasing, more negative D 15 N value showing the aerosols are enriched in 14 N. The direction of the fractionation is the same as that observed by Kuga et al (2014) from plasma experiments, with a slightly lower magnitude. This is not necessarily an expected result given the difference in the mechanism for nitrogen dissociation, and lower N/C ratios, in our photochemical reaction system.…”

Section: N Fractionationsupporting

confidence: 72%

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13C and 15N fractionation of CH4/N2 mixtures during photochemical aerosol formation: Relevance to Titan

Sebree

Stern

Mandt

et al. 2016

Icarus

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a b s t r a c tThe ratios of the stable isotopes that comprise each chemical species in Titan's atmosphere provide critical information towards understanding the processes taking place within its modern and ancient atmosphere. Several stable isotope pairs, including 12 C/ 13 C and 14 N/ 15 N, have been measured in situ or probed spectroscopically by Cassini-borne instruments, space telescopes, or through ground-based observations. Current attempts to model the observed isotope ratios incorporate fractionation resulting from atmospheric diffusion, hydrodynamic escape, and primary photochemical processes. However, the effect of a potentially critical pathway for isotopic fractionation -organic aerosol formation and subsequent deposition onto the surface of Titan -has not been considered due to insufficient data regarding fractionation during aerosol formation. To better understand the nature of this process, we have conducted a laboratory study to measure the isotopic fractionation associated with the formation of Titan aerosol analogs, commonly referred to as 'tholins', via far-UV irradiation of several methane (CH 4 ) and dinitrogen (N 2 ) mixtures. Analysis of the d 13 C and d 15 N isotopic signatures of the photochemical aerosol products using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) show that fractionation direction and magnitude are dependent on the initial bulk composition of the gas mixture. In general, the aerosols showed enrichment in 13 C and 14 N, and the observed fractionation trends can provide insight into the chemical mechanisms controlling photochemical aerosol formation.

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Section: N Fractionationsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…In a recent study by Kuga et al (2014), mixtures with CH 4 concentrations ranging from 1% to 10% in N 2 were flowed through a plasma discharge that initiated the formation of aerosol products. The resultant aerosols show depletion in 15 N of around À20‰ relative to the initial N 2 gas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

13C and 15N fractionation of CH4/N2 mixtures during photochemical aerosol formation: Relevance to Titan

Sebree

Stern

Mandt

et al. 2016

Icarus

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“…Although isotopic fractionations imparted by abiotic N 2 fixation mechanisms are not well known, laboratory and field measurements suggest that they span over 5-25‰ and perhaps more (Kuga et al, 2014;Moore, 1977). In particular HCN -the potentially largest source under high pCH 4 and low pCO 2 -may have been fractionated by tens to hundreds of permil relative to N 2 (Kuga et al, 2014;Liang et al, 2007). Where NO x was produced, additional fractionations would likely have occurred during biotic or abiotic NO x reduction to N 2 or NH 4 + .…”

Section: Was There a Significant Source Of Abiotically Fixed Nitrogen?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of Earth's biogeochemical nitrogen cycle

Stüeken

Kipp

Koehler

et al. 2016

Earth-Science Reviews

290

287

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Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all life on Earth and it acts as a major control on biological productivity in the modern ocean. Accurate reconstructions of the evolution of life over the course of the last four billion years therefore demand a better understanding of nitrogen bioavailability and speciation through time. The biogeochemical nitrogen cycle has evidently been closely tied to the redox state of the ocean and atmosphere. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that the Earth"s surface has passed in a non-linear fashion from an anoxic state in the Hadean to an oxic state in the later Phanerozoic. It is therefore likely that the nitrogen cycle has changed markedly over time, with potentially severe implications for the productivity and evolution of the biosphere. Here we compile nitrogen isotope data from the literature and review our current understanding of the evolution of the nitrogen cycle, with particular emphasis on the Precambrian. Combined with recent work on redox conditions, trace metal availability, sulfur and iron cycling on the early Earth, we then use the nitrogen isotope record as a platform to test existing and new hypotheses about biogeochemical pathways that may have controlled nitrogen availability through time. Among other things, we conclude that (a) abiotic nitrogen sources were likely insufficient to sustain a large biosphere, thus favoring an early origin of biological N 2 fixation, (b) evidence of nitrate in the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic confirm current views of increasing surface oxygen levels at those times, (c) abundant ferrous iron and sulfide in the midPrecambrian ocean may have affected the speciation and size of the fixed nitrogen reservoir, and (d) nitrate availability alone was not a major driver of eukaryotic evolution.

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“…Secondly, the chemical kinetics is accelerated to give access to long time-scale processes, which are hardly accessible from direct observations. Laboratory studies have been used for example to investigate Titan's aerosol chemical composition through geological time-scale , and the low isotopic nitrogen fractionation of the Archean organic matter on the early Earth (Kuga et al 2014). And thirdly, analogues can be analyzed with highly efficient analytical techniques yet out of reach in space, providing unique information on the chemical composition and formation processes of the organic aerosols: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (Derenne et al 2012;He and Smith 2014), high resolution mass spectrometry Pernot et al 2010;Somogyi et al 2005) or thermal characterization Nna-Mvondo et al 2013).…”

Section: Simulation Facilities For Organic Aerosols In Planetary Atmomentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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Nitrogen isotopic fractionation during abiotic synthesis of organic solid particles

Cited by 25 publications

References 100 publications

13C and 15N fractionation of CH4/N2 mixtures during photochemical aerosol formation: Relevance to Titan

13C and 15N fractionation of CH4/N2 mixtures during photochemical aerosol formation: Relevance to Titan

The evolution of Earth's biogeochemical nitrogen cycle

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

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