In-situ nitrogen chemical speciation analysis of shergottite meteorites for elucidation of the surface environmental history on Mars

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an important geochemical tracer to elucidate planetary environments, including Mars. In this study, we investigate Martian nitrogen records potentially retained in the two shergottite meteorites, Tissint and Northwest Africa 13367, by using in-situ micro X-ray absorption fine structure analysis (µ-XAFS). The XAFS spectra of shock-melted glass in Tissint present nitrate-related peaks, whereas those of NWA 13367 do not show any peak. Because the two meteorites are thought to have originated from different locations on Mars, these results may reflect differences in the local environments.