Preservation of glycine coordination compounds under a gamma radiation dose representative of natural mars radioactivity

The Martian subsurface is more favorable for organic preservation than its surface because of the shielding effect of rocks from cosmic rays and UV radiation with increasing depth. Nevertheless, the natural radioactivity on Mars owing to U, Th, and K must be considered to study the possible extant and/or extinct life. Here, we demonstrate the importance of natural radiation on the amino acid glycine in two different chemical environments, GlyFeSO(4) 5H(2)O and GlyMgSO(4) 5H(2)O, which are coordination compounds considered relevant to Mars. The results show that after a 600 kGy dose of gamma radiation, glycine was more stable when it bonded to Mg in the GlyMgSO(4) 5H(2)O coordination compound, it was less stable when it bonded to Fe in the GlyFeSO(4) 5H(2)O compound. Studies on the effects of gamma radiation on preservation of organic molecules bound to minerals and other potential compounds on Mars are significantly important in the search for biosignatures.

Automated summary

The subsurface of Mars is better suited for preserving organic matter, but the impact of natural radiation on possible life forms needs to be considered. This study demonstrates the importance of natural radiation on the stability of the amino acid glycine in two Mars-relevant compounds. The results show that glycine bonded to magnesium in the compound was more stable under gamma radiation.