Ancient Siliciclastic-Evaporites as Seen by Remote Sensing Instrumentation with Implications for the Rover-Scale Exploration of Sedimentary Environments on Mars.

Accurate interpretation of the martian sedimentary rock record-and by extension that planet's paleoenvironmental history and potential habitability-relies heavily on rover-based acquisition of textural and compositional data and researchers to properly interpret those data. However, the degree to which this type of remotely sensed information can be unambiguously resolved and accurately linked to geological processes in ancient sedimentary systems warrants further study. In this study, we characterize Mars-relevant siliciclastic-evaporite samples by traditional laboratory-based geological methods (thin section petrography, X-ray diffraction [XRD], backscattered electron imaging, microprobe chemical analyses) and remote sensing methods relevant to martian rover payloads (visible-near-mid infrared reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence mapping, XRD). We assess each method's ability to resolve primary and secondary sedimentologic features necessary for the accurate interpretation of paleoenvironmental processes. While the most dominant textures and associated compositions (i.e., bedded gypsum evaporite) of the sample suite are readily identified by a combination of remote sensing techniques, equally important, although more subtle, components (i.e., interbedded windblown silt, meniscus cements) are not resolved unambiguously in bulk samples. However, rover-based techniques capable of coordinating spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging reveal important features not readily detected using traditional assessments (i.e., subtle clay-organic associations, microscale diagenetic nodules). Our findings demonstrate the improved generational capacity of rovers to explore ancient sedimentary environments on Mars while also highlighting the complexities in extracting comprehensive paleoenvironmental information when limited to currently available rover-based techniques. Complete and accurate interpretation of ancient martian sedimentary environments, and by extension the habitability of those environments, likely requires sample return or in situ human exploration. Plain Language Summary Only when correctly translated can the ancient martian sedimentary rock record reveal the environmental evolution of the planet's surface through time. In this case study, we characterize Mars-relevant sedimentary rocks and evaluate the degree to which a comprehensive geological picture can be resolved unambiguously when limited to microscale remote sensing methods relevant to rovers on Mars. While the most dominant textural features and associated compositions of the sample suite are readily identified by a combination of remote sensing techniques, equally important but more subtle components are not resolved unambiguously in bulk samples. However, rover-based techniques capable of coordinating spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging, such as Perseverance Rover's Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry instrument, reveal important features not readily detected by more traditional methods. We demonstrate that rovers have, generationally, improved in their capacity to resolve a true geological picture in ancient sedimentary environments, likely owing to an improved ability to coordinate spatially resolved compositional measurements with textural imaging at the microscale. However, our work also highlights the complexities involved in extracting subtle environmental information when limited to currently available rover-based techniques and suggests that comprehensive interpretation of ancient martian sedimentary systems likely requires sample return or in situ human exploration. Key Points Mars-relevant samples are characterized using both traditional laboratory and microscale rover-based remote sensing techniques to assess each method's ability to recognize features necessary for accurate paleoenvironmental process interpretation. While some key paleoenvironmental processes can reasonably be inferred via remote sensing methods, others cannot be resolved unambiguously. Perseverance Rover's Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry instrument reveals diagenetic features that would otherwise remain unseen by traditional thin section petrography.

Metabolism of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal by central nervous system mitochondria is dependent on age and NAD+ availability.

Lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. 4-Hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) is a major, neurotoxic product of lipid peroxidation whose levels are elevated in these diseases. Previous data from this laboratory demonstrate that mitochondria play an important role in the detoxification of HNE particularly through the oxidation of HNE to 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenoate (HNEAcid). In this work, we examined the disposition of HNE when incubated with intact, well-coupled, rat brain mitochondria. Our results demonstrated that HNE loss occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent, saturable manner with a K(M) of 28.0 +/- 11.8 microM HNE and a V(Max) of 10.0 +/- 1.7 nmol/min/mg. HNEAcid formation occurred in a saturable manner with a K(M) of 25.3 +/- 6.3 microM HNE and a V(Max) of 4.4 +/- 0.43 nmol/min/mg. The formation of HNE-glutathione adducts and HNE-protein adducts comprised only a small percentage of HNE consumption. HNE metabolism was significantly diminished in rat brain mitochondria isolated from older animals. We then tested the hypothesis that the mitochondrial NADH/NAD(+) ratio regulated matrix aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Our results demonstrate that HNE oxidation was significantly inhibited to a greater extent with pyruvate and malate as substrates vs succinate. Complex I inhibition with respiratory substrates further blocked HNE detoxification. Rotenone (100 nM) inhibited respiration by 15% whereas HNEAcid formation was decreased to 72% of control levels. These results demonstrate that in situ mitochondrial aldehyde detoxification is affected by decrements in NAD(+) availability and complex I activity.

Selective detection of volatile aromatic compounds using a compact laser ionization detector with fast gas chromatography.

We report results for a new gas chromatography detector that is comparatively sensitive and far more selective for aromatic compounds than the traditional photoionization detector. The detection means is multiphoton ionization at atmospheric pressure. The ionization source in these experiments is a diode-pumped passively Q-switched microchip laser operating at 266 nm. Experiments were conducted with the detector interfaced to a fast gas chromatograph. For <20 s elution time, limits of detection were <1 pg for toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and isopropylbenzene; the limit of detection for benzene is approximately 10 pg. Detector response was linear over 5 orders of magnitude, including these low levels. Negligible signals were observed for nonaromatic ketones, aldehydes, ethers, and cycloalkanes at levels as high as 0.1 microg (10 mg/L concentration). Detector efficiency after fast GC separation was 0.002% when using a detector cell with a radius of 1.1 cm and a purge gas flow of 500 mL/min. The advantages of this detector are further illustrated by the fast GC analysis of fuel samples.