Investigation of chemical evolution of meteoritic organic matter based on the metal-containing organic compounds (MOC)

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K03641
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 17010:Space and planetary sciences-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Hashiguchi Minako 名古屋大学, 環境学研究科, 助教 (80770627)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 始原的隕石 / 有機物 / 金属有機化合物 / 鉱物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A number of Mg-containing organometallic compounds (Mg-MOC) were identified in primitive meteorites by DESI-HRMS analysis using MeOH spray solvent. Their spatial distribution and ion intensities suggest that most of the Mg-MOC series were formed by aqueous alteration on the parent bodies, but they were subsequently decomposed by alteration/metamorphism, or consumed by other reactions such as polymerization of organic matter. The correlation with IOM in the meteorites varies with the Mg-MOC series, indicating that the behavior of Mg-MOC during the chemical evolution of meteorite organic matter during aqueous alteration is various. The Mg-MOC series which were abundant in a metamorphosed primitive meteorite, are thermally stable, and suggesting that their formation preserved meteoritic organic matter in a stable manner with low volatilization and decomposition.

Free Research Field

地球化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，隕石母天体においてMgを含んだ有機化合物が形成過程され，また，数百度の比較的高温条件下でもMgと結合することで隕石有機物は安定に保存された可能性が示唆された。本研究の成果は，隕石有機物および地球外有機物の形成・化学進化の解明に重要なものであり，また，原始地球への地球外有機物の輸送とも関連し，今後の生命の起源研究にも深く関わる可能性があると言える結果である。