Maas, S., Stephenson, J. D., Hallis, L. J., Nagashima, K. and Freeland, S. J. (2013) Boron enrichment in Martian clay. PLoS ONE, 8(6), e64624. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064624) (PMID:23762242) (PMCID:PMC3675118)
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Abstract
We have detected a concentration of boron in martian clay far in excess of that in any previously reported extra-terrestrial object. This enrichment indicates that the chemistry necessary for the formation of ribose, a key component of RNA, could have existed on Mars since the formation of early clay deposits, contemporary to the emergence of life on Earth. Given the greater similarity of Earth and Mars early in their geological history, and the extensive disruption of Earth's earliest mineralogy by plate tectonics, we suggest that the conditions for prebiotic ribose synthesis may be better understood by further Mars exploration.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Authors: | Maas, S., Stephenson, J. D., Hallis, L. J., Nagashima, K., and Freeland, S. J. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
| Journal Name: | PLoS ONE |
| Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1932-6203 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2013 Stephenson et al. |
| First Published: | First published in PLoS ONE 8(6):e64624 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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