Configuration of amino-acids in carbonaceous chondrites and a Pre-Cambrian chert
Carbonaceous chondrite and Precambrian chert amino acids detection, using simultaneous optical configuration determination and gas chromatography
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Carbonaceous chondrite and Precambrian chert amino acids detection, using simultaneous optical configuration determination and gas chromatography
Methane and deuteromethane released from Apollo 11 and 12 lunar fines by deuterated acid etch, using gas chromatography for carbon compounds separation
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Murchison meteorite, determining distribution by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Apollo 11 and 12 lunar dust and rocks, determining Be and Cr contents by gas chromatography for comparison with crystalline rocks
Apollo 12 lunar surface samples analysis for organic compounds by mass spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography
A sample of cable described as four inches of TV cable, fabric wrapped, which had been exposed to the atmosphere for an unknown period of time, was subjected to extensive chemical analyses for the various components. The fabric was tested using attenuated total reflectance, chloroform extract, aqueous extraction, pyrolysis infrared, and reflectance spectroscopy. The wire insulation was tested using pyrolysis infrared, pyrolysis gas chromatography, differential thermal analysis, attenuated total reflectance subsurface, and tensile tests. Corrosion was also observed in parts of certain wires.
Quartz crystals from calcite veins of unknown age in Precambrian metasedimentary rocks at Geiaus No. 6 and Aukam farms in South-West Africa contain both primary and secondary inclusions filled with one substance or a combination of substances. These substances include organic liquid, moderately saline aqueous liquid, dark-colored solid, and a vapor. Analysis of these materials by microscopy and by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry shows the presence of constituents of both low and high molecular weights.
The methane concentration of an air sample collected near the stratopause was measured by gas chromatography and determined to be 0.25 plus or minus 0.02 ppm by volume. The integrity of the air sample with respect to its methane content, the method of analysis, and the result are briefly discussed.
A variety of nitrogen compounds have been synthesized by a static Fischer-Tropsch type reaction from CO, D2 and ND3, with Ni-Fe and Al2O3 catalysts. In this reaction, the gas is heated to 500-700 C for about 0.5 hr, and then cycled through lower temperatures (100-400 C) for 1-14 days. Products were analyzed by mass spectrometry in conjunction with gas chromatography and other chromatographic techniques. Compounds produced include alkyl cyanides, pyrroles, porphyrin-like compounds, guanidines, hydantoin, uracil and its derivatives, thymine, adenine, guanine, xanthine, melamine, as well as alkanes, alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Such reactions may have been involved in the production of interstellar molecules, organic compounds in meteorites, and prebiotic organic matter on planets.
The meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites contain organic compounds. These compounds were subjected to detailed analyses which indicate an abiotic origin. Results for the Murchison meteorite are compared with the Murray meteorite, another carbonaceous chondrite. A combined gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy technique was used for the analysis. Results showed a similarity between the two chondrites, in that at least 18 amino acids were present in both, and nine of these could be separated into the D and L forms, present in equal abundance for each amino acid. The amino acids in the Murchison meteorite were found to be optically inactive. At least 23 aromatic hydrocarbons were revealed in the Murchison meteorite by the combined chromatography-spectroscopy technique. The meteorite contained all possible isomers of amino acids with two and three carbon atoms, and all but two of the isomers of amino acids with four carbon atoms. This distribution suggests a random synthesis of the amino acids, rather than a selective synthesis by organisms.
A brief introduction is given on why Mars is of interest from a biological point of view, along with an overview of the Viking 1975 mission. Details are given about the four biology instruments aboard the spacecraft and the experiments for which they are to be used. These are: the carbon assimilation experiment to determine whether the soil is biologically active; the label release experiment to detect metabolic activity by the release of radioactive CO2 from C-14 labelled simple organic substrates; the gas exchange experiment to detect biological activity by repeated gas chromatography analysis of soil samples; and the light scattering experiment, where increase of scattering and decrease of light transmission would indicate the growth of organisms. Examples are given of data obtained with terrestrial soils in these experiments.
The analysis of lunar samples has shown that the carbon chemistry of the moon is entirely different from the carbon chemistry of the earth. Lunar carbon chemistry is more closely related to cosmic physics than to conventional organic chemistry. Sources of carbon on the moon are considered, giving attention to meteorites and the solar wind. The approaches used in the analysis of the samples are discussed, taking into account the method of gas chromatography employed and procedures used by bioscience investigators in the study of the lunar fines. The presence of indigenous methane and carbide in the lunar fines was established. Reactions and processes taking place on the lunar surface are discussed.
Accurate standard solutions of oxygen can be prepared with this apparatus. Sample may be used as a dissolved oxygen standard with methylene blue or with other techniques such as gas chromatography.
The employment of a high-resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) is described for planetary and other astronomical spectroscopy in conjunction with the 88-inch telescope at Mauna Kea Observatory. The FTS system is designed for a broad range of uses, including double-beam laboratory spectroscopy, infrared gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The data system is well-suited to astronomical applications because of its great speed in acquiring and transforming data, and because of the enormous storage capability of the magnetic tape unit supplied with the system. The basic instrument is outlined 2nd some of the initial results from the first attempted use on the Mauna Kea 88-inch telescope are reported.
Analytical methodology using gas chromatography and mass spectrography for improved physiological monitoring of astronauts is developed. Reported research covers the following topics: (1) Chlorination of DNA bases; (2) mass fragmentography; (3) mass spectrometry; (4) urine analysis for metabolic constituents; (5) analysis of natural products by mass spectrometry; (6) computer identification of unknown molecular compounds; (7) fluorescent sorter for cell separation; (8) Mariner Mars 1971 orbital photography; and (9) Viking Lander imagery.
Review of the current state of mass spectrometry, indicating its unique importance for advanced scientific research. Mass spectrometry applications in computer techniques, gas chromatography, ion cyclotron resonance, molecular fragmentation and ionization, and isotope labeling are covered. Details are given on mass spectrometry applications in bio-organic chemistry and biomedical research. As the subjects of these applications are indicated alkaloids, carbohydrates, lipids, terpenes, quinones, nucleic acid components, peptides, antibiotics, and human and animal metabolisms. Particular attention is given to the mass spectra of organo-inorganic compounds, inorganic mass spectrometry, surface phenomena such as secondary ion and electron emission, and elemental and isotope analysis. Further topics include mass spectrometry in organic geochemistry, applications in geochronology and cosmochemistry, and organic mass spectrometry.
An experimental program was conducted to study the thermochemical, flammability and toxicological characteristics of uncoated and coated polyisocyanurate foams. The coatings used were fluorinated copolymer and an intumescent material. Combustion and pyrolysis gases were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The LD-50 and LD-100 tests were performed on Sprague-Dawley rats housed in an environmental chamber. The isocyanurate foam, fluorinated-copolymer-coated foam, and the intumescent-coated foam were found to have excellent flammability and insulation characteristics, although smoke development was substantial.
The results of gas-chromatography and high-resolution mass spectroscopy studies of gases released on deuterium fluoride dissolution of Apollo 12 and 14 lunar samples are reported. The results confirm previous observations that CH4 and C2H6 are released as well as CD4, C2D4, C2D6, and higher deuterated hydrocarbons. The yields correlate with the total carbon content of the samples, and the CH4 and C2H6 released may be regarded as indigenous, while the deuterated products result from hydrolysis of carbide material. The results provide the first experimental confirmation of the hypothesis that the CH4 derives from solar wind interactions.