The origin of methane and biomolecules from a CO.sub.2./sub. cycle on terrestrial planets

0488421 - FZÚ 2018 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Civiš, S. - Knížek, A. - Ivanek, O. - Kubelík, Petr - Zukalova, M. - Kavan, L. - Ferus, M.
The origin of methane and biomolecules from a CO₂ cycle on terrestrial planets.
Nature Astronomy. Roč. 1, č. 10 (2017), s. 721-726. ISSN 2397-3366. E-ISSN 2397-3366
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LG15013
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : high-energy chemistry * nucleobase formation * martian atmosphere * carbon-dioxide * early earth * Mars * formamide * surfaces * exchange * TiO₂
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)

In this study, an original scenario for the origin of methane on Mars and terrestrial planets is suggested. Carbon dioxide in Martian and other planetary atmospheres can be abiotically converted into a mixture of methane and carbon monoxide by ‘methanogenesis’ on porous mineral photoactive surfaces under soft ultraviolet irradiation. On young planets exposed to heavy bombardment by interplanetary matter, this process can be followed by biomolecule synthesis through the reprocessing of reactive reducing atmospheres by impact-induced shock waves. The proposed mechanism of methanogenesis may help to answer the question concerning the formation of methane and carbon monoxide by photochemical processes, the formation of biomolecules on early Earth and other terrestrial planets, and the source and seasonal variation of methane concentrations on Mars.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0283004