Vollmer, Christian, Leitner, Jan, Kepaptsoglou, Demie orcid.org/0000-0003-0499-0470 et al. (6 more authors) (2020) A primordial 15N-depleted organic component detected within the carbonaceous chondrite Maribo. Scientific Reports. 20251. ISSN 2045-2322
Abstract
We report on the detection of primordial organic matter within the carbonaceous chondrite Maribo that is distinct from the majority of organics found in extraterrestrial samples. We have applied high-spatial resolution techniques to obtain C-N isotopic compositions, chemical, and structural information of this material. The organic matter is depleted in 15N relative to the terrestrial value at around δ15N ~ -200‰, close to compositions in the local interstellar medium. Morphological investigations by electron microscopy revealed that the material consists of µm- to sub-µm-sized diffuse particles dispersed within the meteorite matrix. Electron energy loss and synchrotron X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopies show that the carbon functional chemistry is dominated by aromatic and C=O bonding environments similar to primordial organics from other carbonaceous chondrites. The nitrogen functional chemistry is characterized by C-N double and triple bonding environments distinct from what is usually found in 15N-enriched organics from aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites. Our investigations demonstrate that Maribo represents one of the least altered CM chondrite breccias found to date and contains primordial organic matter, probably originating in the interstellar medium.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Physics (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 20 Nov 2020 17:10 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 17:08 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77190-z |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1038/s41598-020-77190-z |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168254 |