Chemical and Optical Identification of Micrometer-Sized 1.9 Billion-Year-Old Fossils by Combining a Miniature Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometry System with an Optical Microscope

Wiesendanger, Reto; Wacey, David; Tulej, Marek; Neubeck, Anna; Ivarsson, Magnus; Grimaudo, Valentine; Moreno-Garciá, Pavel; Cedeño-López, Alena; Riedo, Andreas; Wurz, Peter (2018). Chemical and Optical Identification of Micrometer-Sized 1.9 Billion-Year-Old Fossils by Combining a Miniature Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometry System with an Optical Microscope. Astrobiology, 18(8), pp. 1071-1080. Mary Ann Liebert 10.1089/ast.2017.1780

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The recognition of biosignatures on planetary bodies requires the analysis of the putative microfossil with a set of
complementary analytical techniques. This includes localized elemental and isotopic analysis of both the putative
microfossil and its surrounding host matrix. If the analysis can be performed with spatial resolution at the
micrometer level and part-per-million detection sensitivities, valuable information on the (bio)chemical and
physical processes that influenced the sample material can be gained. Our miniaturized laser ablation ionization
mass spectrometry (LIMS)-time-of-flight mass spectrometer instrument is a valid candidate for performing the
required chemical analysis in situ. However, up until now it was limited by the spatial accuracy of the sampling. In
this contribution, we introduce a newly developed microscope system with micrometer accuracy for ultra high
vacuum application, which allows a significant increase in the measurement capabilities of our miniature LIMS
system. The new enhancement allows identification and efficient and accurate sampling of features of micrometersized
fossils in a host matrix. The performance of our system is demonstrated by the identification and chemical
analysis of signatures of micrometer-sized fossil structures in the 1.9 billion-year-old Gunflint chert. Key Words:
Biosignatures—Gunflint chert—In situ mass spectrometry—Life-detection—Microscopy—Space instrumentation.
Astrobiology 18, 1071–1080.

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