Zita Martins
A5014340045- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Origins and Evolution of Life
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
- Crystallography and molecular interactions
- Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
University of Lisbon
2018-2025
Institut des Sciences Moléculaires
2023-2024
Instituto Superior Técnico
2023
Rede de Química e Tecnologia
2020
Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
2018-2019
Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering
2018-2019
Imperial College London
2009-2018
Transnational Press London
2017
Université Côte d'Azur
2015
Royal Society
2011
The Yilgarn Craton in Australia has a large number of naturally occurring shallow ephemeral lakes underlain by dendritic system paleodrainage channels. Processes like evaporation, flooding, erosion, as well inflow saline, often acidic and ion-rich groundwater contribute to the (dynamic) nature composition sediments. region previously been described an analogue environment for early Mars due its geological geophysical similarities. Here, we investigated sediment samples four lake environments...
Samples of the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu were collected and brought to Earth by Hayabusa2 spacecraft. We investigated macromolecular organic matter in samples found that it contains aromatic aliphatic carbon, ketone, carboxyl functional groups. The spectroscopic features are consistent with those chemically primitive chondrite meteorites experienced parent-body aqueous alteration (reactions liquid water). morphology carbon includes nanoglobules diffuse associated phyllosilicate...
Abstract— Amino acid analyses of the Antarctic CM2 chondrites Allan Hills (ALH) 83100 and Lewis Cliff (LEW) 90500 using liquid chromatography-time flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ToF-MS) coupled with UV fluorescence detection revealed that these carbonaceous meteorites contain a suite indigenous amino acids not present in ice. Several were detected ALH 83100, including glycine, alanine, β-alanine, γ-amino-n-butyric (γ-ABA), α-aminoisobutyric (AIB) concentrations ranging from 250 to 340 parts...
Abstract— –CR chondrites are among the most primitive meteorites. In this paper, we report first measurements of amino acids in Antarctic CR Three CRs, Elephant Moraine (EET) 92042, Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95229, and Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577, were analyzed for their acid content using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FD) gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Our data show that EET 92042 GRA 95229 acid–rich ever analyzed, total...
The detection of organic molecules associated with life on Mars is one the main goals future life-searching missions such as ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars and NASA 2020 mission. In this work we studied preservation 25 amino acids that were spiked onto Mars-relevant minerals augite, enstatite, goethite, gypsum, hematite, jarosite, labradorite, montmorillonite, nontronite, olivine saponite, basaltic lava under simulated conditions. Simulations performed using Open University Chamber, which mimicked...
Abstract Transmission electron microscopy analyses of Hayabusa2 samples show that Ryugu organic matter exhibits a range morphologies, elemental compositions, and carbon functional chemistries consistent with those carbonaceous chondrites have experienced low‐temperature aqueous alteration. Both nanoglobules diffuse are abundant. Non‐globular particles also present, including some contain nanodiamond clusters. Diffuse is finely distributed in around phyllosilicates, forms coatings on other...
ABSTRACT The goal of this white paper is to provide a snapshot the data availability and needs primarily for Ariel space mission, but also related atmospheric studies exoplanets cool stars. It covers following data-related topics: molecular atomic line lists, profiles, computed cross-sections opacities, collision-induced absorption other continuum data, optical properties aerosols surfaces, chemistry, UV photodissociation photoabsorption cross-sections, standards in description format such...
Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and sites that resemble bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose selected simulation chambers to conditions mimic ones of planets, moons Low Orbit (LEO) space conditions, well chemistry occurring interstellar cometary ices. This paper reviews ways is used astrobiologists: (i) conducting analogue studies investigate extant life from extreme environments, its...
Abstract The Paris meteorite is one of the most primitive carbonaceous chondrites. It reported to be least aqueously altered CM chondrite, and have experienced only weak thermal metamorphism. We analyzed for first time amino acid hydrocarbon contents this pristine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry ( GC – MS ). When plotting relative acids abundances several chondrites according increasing hydrothermal scale (petrologic subtypes), from 2.7/2.8 2.0 MET 01070, has lowest abundance...
The space environment is regularly used for experiments addressing astrobiology research goals. specific conditions prevailing in Earth orbit and beyond, notably the radiative (photons energetic particles) possibility to conduct long-duration measurements, have been main motivations developing experimental concepts expose chemical or biological samples outer space, use reentry of a spacecraft on simulate fall meteorite. This paper represents an overview past current conducted with special...
Context. The current period is conducive to exploring our Solar System's origins with recent and future space sample return missions, which provide invaluable information from known System asteroids comets Hayabusa2 mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently brought back samples surface Ryugu carbonaceous asteroid. Aims. We aim identify different forms chemical composition organic matter minerals that constitute these primitive objects, shed light on origins. Methods....
Research Article| February 01, 2011 Organic Chemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites Zita Martins *Department Earth Science and Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK E-mail: z.martins@imperial.ac.uk Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2011) 7 (1): 35–40. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.1.35 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Manager Share Icon Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo...
Life, as it is known to us, uses exclusively L-amino acid and D-sugar enantiomers for the molecular architecture of proteins nucleic acids. This Minireview explores current models original symmetry-breaking influence that led exogenic delivery Earth prebiotic molecules with a slight enantiomeric excess. We provide short overview enhancements detected in bodies extraterrestrial origin, such meteorites, interstellar ices simulated laboratory. Data are interpreted from different points view,...
Abstract We have conducted a NanoSIMS-based search for presolar material in samples recently returned from C-type asteroid Ryugu as part of JAXA's Hayabusa2 mission. report the detection all major grain types with O- and C-anomalous isotopic compositions typically identified carbonaceous chondrite meteorites: 1 silicate, oxide, O-anomalous supernova ambiguous phase, 38 SiC, 16 grains. At least two grains are graphites, whereas several moderate C anomalies probably organics. The silicate was...
Abstract— CM2 carbonaceous chondrites are the most primitive material present in solar system, and some of their subtypes, CM CI chondrites, contain up to 2 wt% organic carbon. The a wide variety complex amino acids, while CI1 meteorites Orgueil Ivuna display much simpler composition, with only glycine β‐alanine significant abundances. CM1 show higher degree aqueous alteration than types therefore provide an important link between chondrites. Relative acid concentrations have been shown be...
The moons of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europa Enceladus, are strong candidates for the search life outside Earth. Together with use direct observational methods, physical chemical processes that take place on icy may be studied planetary field analogs, is, similar reachable locations Fieldwork performed analogs can test protocols technology applied future space missions to extraterrestrial environments. Arctic is a candidate studies. This study assesses spectroscopic protocol biosignature...