A micro-Raman and X -ray study of erupted submarine pyroclasts from El Hierro (Spain) and its' astrobiological implications

Publication date: Available online 16 April 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): E. Lalla, A. Sanz-Arranz, G. Lopez-Reyes, K. Cote, M. Daly, M. Konstantinidis, J.A. Rodriguez-Losada, G. Groemer, J. Medina, J. Martínez-Frías, F. Rull-PérezAbstractThe pumice volcanic samples could have possible connections to the evolution of life and give us insight about their bio-geochemical processes related. In this regard, the samples from the volcanic eruption from La Restinga (El Hierro, Spain) in 2011 have been mainly studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. The research also includes analysis of XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Microscopy to support the Raman analysis. The results show that the Raman methods and mineral analyses are in strong agreement with the results obtained from other authors and techniques. The internal white foamy core (WFC) of the studied pumice samples shows amorphous silica, Fe-oxides, Ti-oxides, quartz, certain sulfates, carbonates, zeolites and organics. On the other hand, the external part (dark crust – DC) of these samples mainly presents primary-sequence mineralogy combined with some secondary alteration minerals such as olivine, feldspar, pyroxene, amorphous silica, and Fe-oxide. Raman spectroscopy detected other minerals not yet reported on these samples like barite, celestine and lepidocrocite. Also, the different chemometric and calibration methods for Raman spectroscopy in elemental composition, mineral classificati...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - Category: Biology Source Type: research