The recent paper by Imre Friedmann and co-authors in PNAS (PNAS vol 98 page
2176, 2001) reports finding chains of magnetite that are consistent with
a biological origin. This agrees with the results on the size and shape of
the individual magnetite grains as published in the same issue of PNAS by
Kathie Thomas-Keptra and co-authors (PNAS vol 98, 2164, 2001). The size and
shape is also consistent with a biological origin.
In the original publication (1996) of the ALH84001 paper by David McKay
and co-authors they listed 4 lines of evidence suggesting biological origin
1. microfossils, 2. PAH organics, 3. carbonate isotopes, 4. magnetite
crystals. At the time it seemed to me that of these four only the magnetite
crystals provided a credible link to biogenic origin. Since then it has
been widely recognized that the magnetite had the only possibility of
providing good evidence for biogenic origins. The present papers therefore
follow up on this important lead.
At the present time then there are two lines of evidence that indicate
biological origin of the magnetite in the ALH84001:
- the size and shape
of each individual magnetite crystal
- the presence of chains of magnetite.
To me this evidence is now strong enough that we should begin to consider
the implications of a biological origin for this magnetite on Mars 3.9 Gyr
ago. These implications include:
-
what was the O2 level on Mars at the
time these magnetotactic bacterial were present. On Earth magnetotactic
bacteria use their magnetitic navigation to position themselves with
respect to a O2 gradient
-
what were the sources of magnetic fields
-
what would be the expected density of magnetotactic bacteria such that
their remnants are widespread enough that they are found in volcanic rocks
-
is there any biological origin of the magnetic fraction of the current
martian soil.
Related Links
° 27 February 2001: Truncated Hexaoctahedral Magnetite Crystals in ALH84001: Presumptive Biosignatures, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [abstract - subscription required for access to full article]
° 27 February 2001: Chains of magnetite crystals in the meteorite ALH84001: Evidence of biological origin, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [abstract - subscription required for access to full article]
° 26 February 2001: Photographic Comparison of Terrestrial and Martian Magnetite Crystal Chains, NASA ARC
° 26 February 2001: New Evidence Strengthens Claims of Ancient Life on Mars - Study of Martian Meteorite Reveals Magentic Fossils, NASA JSC
° 26 February 2001: NASA JSC Background Information on PNAS ALH84001 Magenetite Paper, NASA JSC
° 26 February 2001: Case For Life on Mars Withstands Criticism, Gains Scientific Support, NASA JSC
° 26 February 2001: Scientists Finds Evidence of Ancient Microbial Life on Mars, NASA ARC
° 26 February 2001: NSF official describes hunt for antarctic meteorites related to new meteorite evidence of primitive life on Mars, NSF
