Evidence for methane in Martian meteorites

Nigel J. F. Blamey (), John Parnell, Sean McMahon, Darren F. Mark, Tim Tomkinson, Martin Lee, Jared Shivak, Matthew R. M. Izawa, Neil R. Banerjee and Roberta L. Flemming
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Nigel J. F. Blamey: Brock University
John Parnell: School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen
Sean McMahon: School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen
Darren F. Mark: Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Tim Tomkinson: Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Martin Lee: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow
Jared Shivak: University of Western Ontario
Matthew R. M. Izawa: University of Western Ontario
Neil R. Banerjee: University of Western Ontario
Roberta L. Flemming: University of Western Ontario

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The putative occurrence of methane in the Martian atmosphere has had a major influence on the exploration of Mars, especially by the implication of active biology. The occurrence has not been borne out by measurements of atmosphere by the MSL rover Curiosity but, as on Earth, methane on Mars is most likely in the subsurface of the crust. Serpentinization of olivine-bearing rocks, to yield hydrogen that may further react with carbon-bearing species, has been widely invoked as a source of methane on Mars, but this possibility has not hitherto been tested. Here we show that some Martian meteorites, representing basic igneous rocks, liberate a methane-rich volatile component on crushing. The occurrence of methane in Martian rock samples adds strong weight to models whereby any life on Mars is/was likely to be resident in a subsurface habitat, where methane could be a source of energy and carbon for microbial activity.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8399

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