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Potential for irradiation of methane to form complex organic molecules in impact craters : Implications for Mars, Titan and Europa

Parnell, John ; Baron, Martin and Lindgren, Paula LU (2006) In Journal of Geochemical Exploration 89(1-3 SPEC. ISS.). p.322-325
Abstract

The release of methane from crater sites following meteorite impact is a possible consequence of the thermal alteration of organic matter, or tapping of reservoired gas of biogenic or abiogenic origin. At least the latter is feasible on Mars. Methane and higher hydrocarbons are susceptible to polymerization and precipitation by radioactive minerals. Where such minerals are present in impact target rocks, the craters can be a preferred site for carbon concentration, and the formation of complex organic molecules. On icy bodies, such as Titan and Europa, methane released by impact could be a fuel for prebiotic chemistry involving other forms of irradiation.

Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Europa, Irradiation, Mars, Methane
in
Journal of Geochemical Exploration
volume
89
issue
1-3 SPEC. ISS.
pages
4 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:33645910527
ISSN
0375-6742
DOI
10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.11.024
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
075177a9-8320-4e76-80ae-8ac5d5e0cfad
date added to LUP
2017-06-26 10:13:15
date last changed
2022-01-30 21:05:43
@article{075177a9-8320-4e76-80ae-8ac5d5e0cfad,
  abstract     = {{<p>The release of methane from crater sites following meteorite impact is a possible consequence of the thermal alteration of organic matter, or tapping of reservoired gas of biogenic or abiogenic origin. At least the latter is feasible on Mars. Methane and higher hydrocarbons are susceptible to polymerization and precipitation by radioactive minerals. Where such minerals are present in impact target rocks, the craters can be a preferred site for carbon concentration, and the formation of complex organic molecules. On icy bodies, such as Titan and Europa, methane released by impact could be a fuel for prebiotic chemistry involving other forms of irradiation.</p>}},
  author       = {{Parnell, John and Baron, Martin and Lindgren, Paula}},
  issn         = {{0375-6742}},
  keywords     = {{Europa; Irradiation; Mars; Methane}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1-3 SPEC. ISS.}},
  pages        = {{322--325}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Geochemical Exploration}},
  title        = {{Potential for irradiation of methane to form complex organic molecules in impact craters : Implications for Mars, Titan and Europa}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.11.024}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.11.024}},
  volume       = {{89}},
  year         = {{2006}},
}