Laboratory simulations of the Viking Labeled Release experiment: Kinetics following second nutrient injection and the nature of the gaseous end product |
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Authors: | Gilbert V Levin Patricia Ann Straat |
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Institution: | (1) Biospherics Incorporated, 4928 Wyaconda Road, 20852 Rockville, Maryland, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary Injection of14C-labeled nutrient onto Mars soil produced an evolution of14C gas in the Viking Labeled Release (LR) experiment. However, a second injection of nutrient seven days later was followed by an abrupt diminution of the amount of radioactive gas in the test cell. Simulation experiments performed in the LR Test Standards Module (TSM) have yielded a plausible explanation for this diminution. Radioactive carbon gases were injected into the TSM test cell in the presence and absence of two Mars analog soils. After equilibration, water was injected and its effect observed. The results indicate that the flight data following second nutrient injection can be explained on a physico-chemical basis involving a carbon dioxide/water/soil equilibrium in the test cell. The results also suggest that the gaseous end product of the Labeled Release reaction on Mars is more likely carbon dioxide than carbon monoxide. |
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Keywords: | Viking biology Extraterrrestrial life detection Labeled release experiment |
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