"How efficient do you think are our methods of receiving radio-signals are-for possible detection of extra-terrestrial life? "
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Molecular fossils in Archean and Proterozoic sediments and metasediments: Multidimensional gas chromatography, high pressure catalytic hydrogenation and synthesis of butyloid standards. (Rephase?)
PI: Fabien Kenig
This project will analyze the molecular fossils extracted and released by high pressure catalytic hydrogenation from Archean and Proterozoic sediments and metasediments (1.45 to 3.3 billion years) for paleobiological purposes. The molecular fossils recovered from these sediments often form unresolved complex mixtures (UCMs). We have demonstrated that comprehensive 2-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) can resolve these UCMs and provide inestimable paleobiological information, including the first direct evidence for the presence of Archaea in the late Archean (2.705 billion years). We propose to investigate the unresolved complex mixtures of extractable organic matter from an array of Proterozoic and Archean sediments using GC×GC technology. Lipids released during high pressure catalytic hydrogenation will also be analyzed by GC×GC, providing further constraints for paleobiological reconstruction. Additionally we propose to synthesize three authentic standards of novel butyloid compounds (containing 4 to 10 quaternary carbon atoms) identified in 2.705 billion year old metasediments. This research proposal includes an addendum for the Planetary Major Equipment program for the acquisition of Investigator Facility Instruments, GC×GC-Flame ionization detection and GC×GC-time of flight mass spectrometer.
May 16, 2012
