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Methane on mars: Photochemistry or life? | 42040
Organic Chemistry: Current Research

Organic Chemistry: Current Research
Open Access

ISSN: 2161-0401

+44 1478 350008

Methane on mars: Photochemistry or life?


11th Global Experts Meeting on Chemistry And Computational Catalysis

May 18-19, 2018 Singapore

Svatopluk Civis

J Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry-Academy of the Sciences of the Czech Republic Czech Republic

Keynote: Organic Chem Curr Res

Abstract :

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on montmorillonite and TiO2 can explain the formation of reduced gases in neutral atmospheres. CH4 and CO were produced during 365 nm UV irradiation of CO2 in the presence of HCl. This photocatalytic reaction represents an approximate simulation of the Martian atmosphere. In the first part of this paper, rate constants, external quantum efficiencies and effectiveness of the reduction process are discussed and compared to those estimated on Mars. In the second part, subsequent reprocessing of the CO + CH4 and N2 containing atmosphere (with the corresponding photocatalyst still present) was exposed to shock waves induced by a high-power laser. This simulated a high energy density event (e.g. an asteroid impact) on the surface of an early planet exposed to heavy bombardment by interplanetary matter. In the resulting mixtures, glycine and RNA canonical nucleobases were found. Therefore, this process provides an explanation for the creation of reduced gases and the subsequent formation of simple biomolecules from neutral CO2 rich atmospheres and also for the origin of CH4 on Mars. The aim of this work was not to ultimately proclaim that the Earth��?s early atmosphere was globally reducing. Instead, evidence is presented to support the fact that the conversion of a CO2 atmosphere to an atmosphere containing CH4 and CO is possible. This conversion must be considered in models of initial early atmosphere transformations. Therefore, a complete pathway leading from a neutral atmosphere to the formation of nucleobases under early Earth conditions has been demonstrated. Additionally, for the first time, this pathway is discussed in relation to the conditions of Mars upon solar irradiation and upon exposure to shock waves generated by the impacts of asteroids or comets.

Biography :

Svatopluk Civis had pursued his Doctor of Natural Sciences (rndr.) And Candidade of Sciences (csc.). Charles University, Prague Czech Republic. He was a Professor in Applied physics and Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering in Czech Technical University in Prague. His experience includes plethora of positions as a chemistry expertise in institutes like J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry and Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics. As being one of the most invited speaker in International Conferences from the past few years, he focuses on improvising his latest discoveries. The research interest mainly encompasses the study on Infrared diode laser and microwave  spectroscopy  of molecular ions and  short  lived  species. Environmental  laser chemistry and Fourier transform spectroscopy.
Email:Civis@jh-inst.cas.cz

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