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RESEARCH PROJECTS:
Geochemical Records of the Earth's Biosphere
Photochemical Reactions of Sulfur and Iron in the Early Earth
The Genomic Record of Earth's Early Biosphere
Laboratory Microbial Simulations: Astrobiological Signatures
Modern Analogue of Precambrian Microbial Ecosystem
Planetary Habitability and Life Detection
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SECTION I: Geochemical Record of the Earth's Biosphere
(Ohmoto, Leader; Arthur, Capo, Freeman, House, Kump and Stewart)
Research during next five years will focus on fresh drill core samples of sedimentary rocks
(3.5 - 2.7 Ga in age) from the Pilbara district in Australia
(see The Archean Biosphere Drilling Project below). By applying a variety
of geochemical methods (e.g., molecular biomarkers, stable isotopes)
to these and other drill core samples from various Precambrian
districts, we will determine whether the organic matter preserved
in Archean sedimentary rocks was biogenic or abiogenic and, if
biogenic, we will identify the original organisms. We will also
attempt to identify the existence of any systematics in the temporal
and spatial variations in sedimentary rocks, specifically the
MIF of S isotopes; C, N, and Fe isotopes; and the abundance ratios
of bioessential metals.
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The Archean Biosphere Drilling Project (ABDP) is an international research project organized by four research
groups:
M. Nedachi of Kagoshima University and his associates
in many Japanese universities
A. H. Hickman and his colleagues
at the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA)
M. E. Barley
and his colleagues at the University of Western Australia (UWA);
H. Ohmoto and his PSARC associates, representing the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI).
The ABDP was carried out through major funding from the Japanese Ministry of Science and
Education and the NAI. Drilling and sample distribution is being coordinated under the
NAI Astrobiology Drilling Program (ADP).
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