Abstract
Defining whether a particular structure in the geological or mineral record is of biological origin or not is an intrinsically multi-scale and multidisciplinary problem, and one of the most challenging in modern science. For the study of the history of our planet, especially in the deepest times, in the Precambrian, minerals are the basis for the characterization of the traces of microbial life. In addition, microbial-mineral interaction processes are important for application in numerous sectors of our modern society. All fossils are formed through biogeochemical processes, with direct or indirect biological participation, through the precipitation of biominerals. That is, from ions in solution, crystalline structures are built capable of preserving, depending on the case, the morphology or the chemical/atomic composition in a different way, which may indicate the past presence of microorganisms of hundreds of millions or even billions of people. years ago. The study of the crystalline structures of biominerals can be done from macro to nanoscale, and it is necessary to employ advanced techniques capable of revealing details of their ultrastructure. Making use of the knowledge that it is possible to distinguish a biomineral from its inorganic analog (the one formed without biological participation), this project aims to explore in an unprecedented way the micro and nanoscale X-ray techniques of the Carnaúba beamline of Sirius, for the study the biogenicity of minerals. For this, minerals will be synthesized in the laboratory by biotic and abiotic routes to be explored by the techniques of absorption, fluorescence, diffraction, luminescence and 2D and 3D imaging that are in the final stage of commissioning on the beamline. The benefits to be generated with the experiments are the increased understanding of biological mineral production pathways, important for basic science, such as in the search for traces of life on Mars, and applied, in the areas of biomineration, biotechnology and green chemistry. In addition, the project will contribute to establishing Sirius' Carnaúba beamline as a reference for studies in the diverse areas that encompass this knowledge, which include Paleontology, Geosciences and Astrobiology, in addition to biomineration and other areas related to mineral exploration, such as oil in the carbonates of the Brazilian Pre-Salt. (AU)
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