Abstract
In this contribution, we present results of non-linear dimensionality reduction and classification of the fs laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) imaging dataset acquired from the Precambrian Gunflint chert (1.88 Ga) using a miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer developed for in situ space applications. We discuss the data generation, processing, and analysis pipeline for the classification of the recorded fs-LIMS mass spectra. Further, we define topological biosignatures identified for Precambrian Gunflint microfossils by projecting the recorded fs-LIMS intensity space into low dimensions. Two distinct subtypes of microfossil-related spectra, a layer of organic contamination and inorganic quartz matrix were identified using the fs-LIMS data. The topological analysis applied to the fs-LIMS data allows to gain additional knowledge from large datasets, formulate hypotheses and quickly generate insights from spectral data. Our contribution illustrates the utility of applying spatially resolved mass spectrometry in combination with topology-based analytics in detecting signatures of early (primitive) life. Our results indicate that fs-LIMS, in combination with topological methods, provides a powerful analytical framework and could be applied to the study of other complex mineralogical samples.
Highlights
The current state of space exploration is on the verge of new frontiers, holding promise for discoveries on other planetary bodies through in-situ robotic exploration (Vago et al, 2015)
We describe a topology-based analysis pipeline to define the complexity of the fs-laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS) imaging data in low dimensions and identify groups of spectra that share a significant degree of similarity
In comparison with the optical image of the same area, one can see that most of the dark brown patches identified from optical microscopy as microfossils preserved in the bio-lamination surface are spatially correlated with increased values of 12C and 1H
Summary
The current state of space exploration is on the verge of new frontiers, holding promise for discoveries on other planetary bodies through in-situ robotic exploration (Vago et al, 2015). Mars and the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, once thought to be lifeless, have gained more attention from the scientific community in recent decades due to new data informing upon the potential habitability of these bodies (Priscu and Hand 2012; Garcia-Lopez and Cid 2017; McMahon et al, 2018). There is an ongoing need for sensitive and high-throughput space instrumentation providing precise analytical data on a microscale (Navarro-González et al, 2006; Goesmann et al, 2017). Space-type instruments are usually small and provide only a fraction of the sensitivity and overall capability of their full-scale laboratory counterparts. The development of new miniature instruments and analytical methods with improved capabilities is a continuously pressing issue (Li et al, 2017; Arevalo et al, 2018; Stevens et al, 2019; Wurz et al, 2020)
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