SRINAGAR: Indian scientists have uncovered fossil remains of magnetic particles produced by bacteria, known as magnetofossils, within the rock varnish layers of Ladakh. This groundbreaking discovery could provide invaluable insights for future space missions aimed at identifying habitable environments in space, according to a recent study, Chandigarh newspaper, The Tribune reported.
The research, conducted by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, suggests that biotic processes play a role in the formation of rock varnish, highlighting how life can thrive in extreme environments. This finding, according to newspaper offers significant implications for astrobiology, the study of life beyond Earth.
Ladakh, a cold desert, experiences harsh climatic conditions, including high ultraviolet radiation, significant temperature variations, and limited water availability. These extreme conditions make it an ideal terrestrial analogue for Martian studies, the study suggests. The researchers were particularly inspired by the similarities between the rock varnish observed in Ladakh and that seen on Mars, especially during the operations of NASA’s Perseverance rover, according to the newspaper.
Rock varnish, a thin, dark-coloured natural coating rich in manganese, iron, and clay minerals, forms on rock surfaces and subsurface fractures in extremely dry and cold environments. It is believed to provide nutritional support to microorganisms. To analyse the surface chemistry of rock varnish samples collected from Ladakh, researchers employed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility established by the Department of Science and Technology. This analysis revealed the presence of nanochains of magnetofossils.
The study, the newspaper said, also identified higher concentrations of oxidised manganese and carboxylic acid functionality on the varnish surface, indicating organic signatures, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday.
Published in the journal Planetary and Space Science, the study demonstrates that rock varnish from Ladakh, a potential Martian analogue site, contains enriched concentrations of magnetic minerals likely derived from biotic sources. This discovery of biotic signatures in rock varnish can help scientists better target potential biosignatures on Mars and other planetary bodies, aiding the search for extraterrestrial life.
This information is crucial for planning future space missions by ISRO and other space agencies, including Mars exploration, where identifying habitable environments is a primary goal. The insights gained from this study could significantly enhance the strategies for searching for life beyond Earth.