The AstrobiologyOU flow-through reactors are used to study both abiotic and biotic processes within the sub-surface environments of Mars and the icy moons, for example Europa and Enceladus. The flow-through capability allows fluid to continuous flow into the reactor, mimicking an open system, which is more realistic to the natural environment.
The two reactors have been developed to study: 1) the martian sub-surface (MMS reactor); and 2) the ocean floor of the Icy Moons, e.g., Europa and Enceladus (IM reactor). The reactors can be run in dynamic (flow-through) or static mode with variable water-to-rock ratios. The overall set-up of the two systems is identical and involves a high-pressure reactor (Parr Instrument Company, UK) connected to a fluid cycling system and gas inlet, housed within a heating jacket. Abiotic and biotic experiments are routinely run in parallel, with microorganisms added to simulate biotic processes. For more information about the facilities see Olsson-Francis et al., (2020).
The standard specifications of both the martian sub-surface (MSS reactor) and the ocean floor of the icy moons (IM reactor) are shown below:
MSS reactor | IM reactor | |
---|---|---|
Specification of the reactor | ||
Model | 4566-T-FMD1(HC)-HC-230-VS.125-3000-4848-A1925E4-CE(PED) | 4545-T-FMD1-SS-230-VS.125-WJ-5000-A2110E-CE(PED) |
Volume | 300 ml | 600 ml |
Composition | Alloy C276 /316 SS | T316 Stainless Steel |
Max and min temperature | Ambient to 350 °C | -20 to + 150 °Ca |
Max and min pressure | 0 to 6.9 MPa | 0 to 34.5 MPa |
Gas headspace | ||
Composition | 10% CO₂ 40% H₂ 50% N₂ | 10% CO₂ 40% H₂ 50% N₂ |
Regulator | Air Products R302 | Druva SS/1G SE(N6) |
Tubing | ||
Composition | Polyetherketone /Alloy C276 /316 SS | Polyetherketone/316 SS |
a Depending on the pressure
For more information, please read:
Olsson-Francis, K.; Ramkissoon, N. K.; Macey, M.; Pearson, V. K.; Schwenzer, S. P. and Johnson, D. N. (2020). Simulating microbial processes in extraterrestrial, aqueous environments. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 172, article no. 105883. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2020.105883
Ramkissoon, N. K., Macey, M. C., Kucukkilic-Stephens, E., Barton, T., Steele, A., Johnson, D. N., Stephens, B. P., Schwenzer, S. P., Pearson, V. K., and Olsson-Francis, K. (2024) Experimental Identification of Potential Martian Biosignatures in Open and Closed Systems. Astrobiology (early access). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2023.0013
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Europlanet 2024 RI has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149