Persona: Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga
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Centro de Astrobiologia
El Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) es un centro mixto de investigación en astrobiología, dependiente tanto del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) como del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).
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Prieto-Ballesteros
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Olga
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Publicación Acceso Abierto Constraining the preservation of organic compounds in Mars analog nontronites after exposure to acid and alkaline fluids.(Nature Research Journals, 2020-09-15) Gil Lozano, C.; Fairén, Alberto G.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Fernández Sampedro, M.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Gago Duport, L.; Losa Adams, E.; Carrizo, D.; Bishop, J. L.; Fornado, Teresa; Mateo Marti, Eva; European Research Council (ERC); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); European Commission (EC); 0000-0002-5536-2565; 0000-0003-1932-7591; 0000-0002-1159-9093; 0000-0003-3500-2850; 0000-0002-2278-1210; 0000-0002-2646-5995; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737The presence of organic matter in lacustrine mudstone sediments at Gale crater was revealed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, which also identified smectite clay minerals. Analogue experiments on phyllosilicates formed under low temperature aqueous conditons have illustrated that these are excellent reservoirs to host organic compounds against the harsh surface conditions of Mars. Here, we evaluate whether the capacity of smectites to preserve organic compounds can be influenced by a short exposure to different diagenetic fluids. We analyzed the stability of glycine embedded within nontronite samples previously exposed to either acidic or alkaline fluids (hereafter referred to as "treated nontronites") under Mars-like surface conditions. Analyses performed using multiple techniques showed higher photodegradation of glycine in the acid-treated nontronite, triggered by decarboxylation and deamination processes. In constrast, our experiments showed that glycine molecules were preferably incorporated by ion exchange in the interlayer region of the alkali-treated nontronite, conferring them a better protection against the external conditions. Our results demonstrate that smectite previously exposed to fluids with different pH values influences how glycine is adsorbed into their interlayer regions, affecting their potential for preservation of organic compounds under contemporary Mars surface conditions.Publicación Acceso Abierto Fingerprinting molecular and isotopic biosignatures on different hydrothermal scenarios of Iceland, an acidic and sulfur-rich Mars analog(Springer Nature, 2020-12) Sánchez García, Laura; Carrizo, D.; Molina, A.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Lezcano, M. A.; Fernández Sampedro, M.; Parro, Víctor; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; European Research Council (ERC); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737Detecting signs of potential extant/extinct life on Mars is challenging because the presence of organics on that planet is expected to be very low and most likely linked to radiation-protected refugia and/or preservative strategies (e.g., organo-mineral complexes). With scarcity of organics, accounting for biomineralization and potential relationships between biomarkers, mineralogy, and geochemistry is key in the search for extraterrestrial life. Here we explored microbial fingerprints and their associated mineralogy in Icelandic hydrothermal systems analog to Mars (i.e., high sulfur content, or amorphous silica), to identify potentially habitable locations on that planet. The mineralogical assemblage of four hydrothermal substrates (hot springs biofilms, mud pots, and steaming and inactive fumaroles) was analyzed concerning the distribution of biomarkers. Molecular and isotopic composition of lipids revealed quantitative and compositional differences apparently impacted by surface geothermal alteration and environmental factors. pH and water showed an influence (i.e., greatest biomass in circumneutral settings with highest supply and turnover of water), whereas temperature conditioned the mineralogy that supported specific microbial metabolisms related with sulfur. Raman spectra suggested the possible coexistence of abiotic and biomediated sources of minerals (i.e., sulfur or hematite). These findings may help to interpret future Raman or GC–MS signals in forthcoming Martian missions.Publicación Acceso Abierto Can Halophilic and Psychrophilic Microorganisms Modify the Freezing/Melting Curve of Cold Salty Solutions? Implications for Mars Habitability(Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, 2020-09-15) García Descalzo, L.; Gil Lozano, C.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Azua Bustos, A.; Fairén, Alberto G.; European Research Council (ERC); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO); European Commission (EC); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); García Descalzo, L. [0000-0002-0083-6786]; Gil Lozano, C. [0000-0003-3500-2850]; Muñoz Iglesias, V. [0000-0002-1159-9093]; Prieto Ballesteros, O. [0000-0002-2278-1210]; Azua Bustos, A. [0000-0002-2278-1210]; Fairén, A. G. [0000-0002-2938-6010]; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737We present the hypothesis that microorganisms can change the freezing/melting curve of cold salty solutions by protein expression, as it is known that proteins can affect the liquid-to-ice transition, an ability that could be of ecological advantage for organisms on Earth and on Mars. We tested our hypothesis by identifying a suitable candidate, the well-known psycrophile and halotolerant bacteriaRhodococcussp. JG3, and analyzing its response in culture conditions that included specific hygroscopic salts relevant to Mars-that is, highly concentrated magnesium perchlorate solutions of 20 wt % and 50 wt % Mg(ClO4)(2)at both end members of the eutectic concentration (44 wt %)-and subfreezing temperatures (263 K and 253 K). Using a combination of techniques of molecular microbiology and aqueous geochemistry, we evaluated the potential roles of proteins over- or underexpressed as important players in different mechanisms for the adaptability of life to cold environments. We recorded the changes observed by micro-differential scanning calorimetry. Unfortunately,Rhodococcussp. JG3 did not show our hypothesized effect on the melting characteristics of cold Mg-perchlorate solutions. However, the question remains as to whether our novel hypothesis that halophilic/psychrophilic bacteria or archaea can alter the freezing/melting curve of salt solutions could be validated. The null result obtained after analyzing just one case lays the foundation to continue the search for proteins produced by microorganisms that thrive in very cold, high-saline solutions, which would involve testing different microorganisms with different salt components. The immediate implications for the habitability of Mars are discussed.Publicación Acceso Abierto Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits(Nature Publishing Group, 2023-02-21) Azua Bustos, A.; Fairén, A.; González Silva, C.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Carrizo, D.; Sánchez García, Laura; Parro, Víctor; Fernández Martínez, Miguel Ángel; Escudero, C.; Muñoz Iglesias, V.; Fernández Sampedro, M.; Molina, A.; García Villadangos, M.; Moreno Paz, Mercedes; Wierzchos, J.; Ascaso, C.; Fornado, Teresa; Brucato, J. R.; Poggiali, G.; Manrique, J. A.; Veneranda, M.; López Reyes, G.; Sanz Arranz, Aurelio; Rull, F.; Ollila, A. M.; Wiens, R. C.; Reyes Newell, Adriana; Clegg, S. M.; Millan, Maëva; Stewart Johnson, Sarah; McIntosh, Ophélie; Szopa, Cyril; Freissinet, Caroline; Sekine, Yasuhito; Fukushi, Keisuke; Morida, Koki; Inoue, Kosuke; Sakuma, Hiroshi; Rampe, Elizabeth; European Commission (EC); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO); Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); Comunidad de Madrid; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737Identifying unequivocal signs of life on Mars is one of the most important objectives for sending missions to the red planet. Here we report Red Stone, a 163-100 My alluvial fan–fan delta that formed under arid conditions in the Atacama Desert, rich in hematite and mudstones containing clays such as vermiculite and smectites, and therefore geologically analogous to Mars. We show that Red Stone samples display an important number of microorganisms with an unusual high rate of phylogenetic indeterminacy, what we refer to as “dark microbiome”, and a mix of biosignatures from extant and ancient microorganisms that can be barely detected with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Our analyses by testbed instruments that are on or will be sent to Mars unveil that although the mineralogy of Red Stone matches that detected by ground-based instruments on the red planet, similarly low levels of organics will be hard, if not impossible to detect in Martian rocks depending on the instrument and technique used. Our results stress the importance in returning samples to Earth for conclusively addressing whether life ever existed on Mars.Publicación Acceso Abierto Time-Integrative Multibiomarker Detection in Triassic–Jurassic Rocks from the Atacama Desert: Relevance to the Search for Basic Life Beyond Earth(Mary Ann Liebert Publishers, 2021-10-28) Sánchez García, Laura; Carrizo, D.; Lezcano, M. A.; Moreno Paz, Mercedes; Aeppli, C.; García Villadangos, M.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Demergasso, C.; Chong, G.; Parro, Víctor; Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO); Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737Detecting evidence of life on other planetary bodies requires a certain understanding of known biomarkers and their chemical nature, preservation potential, or biological specificity. In a planetary search for life, carbonates are of special interest due to their known association with life as we know it. On Earth, carbonates serve as an invaluable paleogeochemical archive of fossils of up to billions of years old. Here, we investigated biomarker profiles on three Chilean Triassic–Jurassic sedimentary records regarding our search for signs of past and present life over ∼200 Ma. A multianalytical platform that combines lipid-derived biomarkers, metaproteomics, and a life detector chip (LDChip) is considered in the detection of biomolecules with different perdurability and source-diagnosis potential. The combined identification of proteins with positive LDChip inmunodetections provides metabolic information and taxonomic affiliation of modern/subrecent biosignatures. Molecular and isotopic analysis of more perdurable hydrocarbon cores allows for the identification of general biosources and dominant autotrophic pathways over time, as well as recreation of prevailing redox conditions over ∼200 Ma. We demonstrate how extraterrestrial life detection can benefit from the use of different biomarkers to overcome diagnosis limitations due to a lack of specificity and/or alteration over time. Our findings have implications for future astrobiological missions to Mars.Publicación Restringido Molecular and isotopic biogeochemistry on recently-formed soils on King George Island (Maritime Antarctica) after glacier retreat upon warming climate(Elsevier BV, 2021-02-10) Vega García, S.; Sánchez García, Laura; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Carrizo, D.; Instituto Antartico Uruguayo (IAU); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Comunidad de Madrid; Sánchez García, L. [0000-0002-7444-1242]; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737Maritime Antarctica is a climate-sensitive region that has experienced a continuous increase of temperature over the last 50 years. This phenomenon accelerates glacier retreat and promotes the exposure of ice-covered surfaces, triggering physico-chemical alteration of the ground and subsequent soil formation. Here, we studied the biogeochemical composition and evolution extent of soil on three recently exposed peninsulas (Fildes, Barton and Potter) on Southwest (SW) King George Island (KGI). Nine soil samples were analyzed for their lipid biomarkers, stable isotope composition, bulk geochemistry and mineralogy. Their biomarkers profiles were compared to those of local fresh biomass of microbial mats (n = 3) and vegetation (1 moss, 1 grass, and 3 lichens) to assess their contribution to the soil organic matter (SOM). The molecular and isotopic distribution of lipids in the soil samples revealed contributions to the SOM dominated by biogenic sources, mostly vegetal (i.e. odd HMW n-alkanes distributions and generally depleted δ13C ratios). Microbial sources were also present to a lesser extent (i.e. even LMW n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids, heptadecane, 1-alkenes, 9-octadecenoic acid, or iso/anteiso 15: 0 and 17:0 alkanoic acids). Additional contribution from petrogenic sources (bedrock erosion-derived hydrocarbons) was also considered although found to be minor. Results from mineralogy (relative abundance of plagioclases and virtual absence of clay minerals) and bulk geochemistry (low chemical weathering indexes) suggested little chemical alteration of the original geology. This together with the low content of total nitrogen and organic carbon, as well as moderate microbial activity in the soils, confirmed little edaphological development on the recently-exposed KGI surfaces. This study provides molecular and isotopic fingerprints of SOM composition in young Antarctic soils, and contributes to the understanding of soil formation and biogeochemistry in this unexplored region which is currently being affected by thermal destabilization.Publicación Restringido Enhancing Operational Efficiency of the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) in the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Mission: A Comprehensive Qualitative Analysis of Key Parameters in the Sample Acquisition and Measurement Strategies(Wiley, 2025-06-15) Pérez, Carlos; Moral, Andoni G.; Seoane, Laura; Zafra, Jesús; Rodriguez Perez, Pablo; Benito Parejo, Marina; Rodríguez, J. A.; Canchal, R.; Santamaría, Pilar; López, Iván; Molina, A.; Manrique, J. A.; Veneranda, M.; López Reyes, Guillermo; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Rull, F.; Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS), part of the Pasteur analytical suite onboard the ExoMars 2028 Rosalind Franklin rover, is designed to perform structural and compositional analyses of powdered subsurface samples on Mars. Its fully autonomous operation within the constraints of the Pasteur Analytical Laboratory-limited by time, energy, and sample availability-requires an efficient balance between scientific performance and operational viability. This study presents a qualitative analysis of RLS operations under mission-representative conditions using the Flight Spare (FS) model, focusing on the impact of key parameters-number of accumulations, autofocus frequency, and analyzed spots per sample-on the system's detection capabilities. Experimental campaigns were conducted using ESA-selected analog samples representative of Oxia Planum geology. Performance was evaluated using both the RLS FS and the ExoMars Simulator. Results show high consistency (90-95%) in mineral detection between systems, confirming the robustness of the RLS FS under representative scenarios. The instrument demonstrated its ability to identify key phases, including oxides, silicates, carbonates, hydrated sulfates, and amorphous carbon, highlighting its relevance to geological and astrobiological investigations. Operational tests confirmed that reducing the number of accumulations or autofocus activations-under appropriate sample conditions-does not compromise spectral quality. These findings support a flexible strategy that adapts operational parameters to the scientific context, optimizing resource use and preserving long-term instrument reliability. The results will contribute to the refinement of nominal activity plans for ExoMars and reinforce the use of the RLS FS as a critical asset for validating future configurations of the flight model.Publicación Restringido A chamber for studying planetary environments and its applications to astrobiology(IOP Science Publishing, 2006-07-13) Mateo Marti, Eva; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Sobrado, J. M.; Gómez Elvira, J.; Martín Gago, J. A.; Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA); Comunidad de MadridWe have built a versatile environmental simulation chamber capable of reproducing atmospheric compositions and surface temperatures for most of the planetary objects. It has been especially developed to make feasible in situ irradiation and characterization of the sample under study. The total pressure in the chamber can range from 5 to 5 × 10−9 mbar. The required atmospheric composition is regulated via a residual gas analyser with ca ppm precision. Temperatures can be set from 4 K to 325 K. The sample under study can be irradiated with ion and electron sources, a deuterium ultraviolet (UV) lamp and a noble-gas discharge UV lamp. One of the main technological challenges of this device is to provide the user the possibility of performing ion and electron irradiation at a total pressure of 0.5 mbar. This is attained by means of an efficient differential pumping system. The in situ analysis techniques implemented are UV spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy (IR). This machine is especially suitable for following the chemical changes induced in a particular sample by irradiation in a controlled environment. Therefore, it can be used in different disciplines such as planetary geology, astrobiology, environmental chemistry, materials science and for instrumentation testing.Publicación Restringido Theoretical Characterization of the High Pressure Nonclathrate CO2 Hydrate(ACS Publications, 2020-10-30) Izquierdo Ruiz, F.; Recio, J. M.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Izquierdo Ruiz, F. [0000-0001-7237-4720]; Prieto Ballesteros, O. [0000-0002-2278-1210]; Recio, J. M. [0000-0002-3182-7508]; Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737On the basis of results from exhaustive first-principles simulations, we report a thorough description of the recently identified high pressure phase of the CO2 hydrate, and provide an estimation of the transition pressure from the sI low pressure phase to the C-0 high pressure (HP) phase around 0.6 GPa. The vibrational properties calculated here for the first time might be useful to detect this HP structure in extraterrestrial environments, such as the Jupiter ice moons. Interestingly, we also find that CO2 gas molecules are quasi-free to diffuse along the helical channels of the structure, thus allowing the interchange of volatiles across a solid icy barrier. Taking into account its density and comparing it with other substances, we can estimate the naturally occurring zone of this CO2@H2O HP phase within a giant ice moon such as Ganymede. Other potential planetary implications that all of the found properties of this hydrate might have are also discussed.Publicación Acceso Abierto Geomorphology of the southwest Sinus Sabaeus region: evidence for an ancient hydrological cycle on Mars(Taylor and Francis Online, 2021-09-13) Robas, C.; Molina, A.; López, I.; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; Fairén, Alberto G.; European Research Council (ERC); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI); Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737We have produced a 1:650,000 scale geomorphological map of the southwest Sinus Sabaeus, a region of Mars approximately centered at 25.0°S and 6.5°E and located in the topographic transition between Arabia Terra and Noachis Terra, in the Martian highlands. This heavily cratered region, subjected to extensive surface erosion, shows a complex valley network system known as Marikh Vallis. In this work, we study the history and role of water in and around Marikh Vallis, focusing on the modification and evolution of this area during the earliest Martian times, the Noachian period. The map described in this paper was produced through the analysis of a combination of available imagery data, topography, and thermal inertia, which together allow defining different geomorphological units in this area. This new map provides a basis for identifying the ancient presence of water in the region, both in the liquid state and in the ice phase.
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