Nitrogen- and oxygen-rich organic material indicative of polymerization in pre-aqueous cryochemistry on Bennu’s parent body

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Nature Astronomy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02694-5· OSTI ID:3013084

Sandford, Scott A; Gainsforth, Zack; Nuevo, Michel; Marcus, Matthew A; Bechtel, Hans A; Ogliore, Ryan C; Jones, Clive; Dominguez, Gerardo; Glavin, Daniel P; Dworkin, Jason P; McCoy, Timothy J; Russell, Sara S; Zega, Thomas J; Connolly, Harold C; Lauretta, Dante S

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds play key biological roles, and their identification in primitive astromaterials such as meteorites can shed light on the origin of life. However, meteorites are typically contaminated by uncontrolled exposure to Earth. Here we show that pristine samples returned from asteroid Bennu contain polymeric organics exceptionally rich in nitrogen and oxygen. These polymers contain a variety of functional groups including amines, amides, N-heterocycles, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, among others. They are seen in a carbonaceous vein with mineral inclusions and in multilayered organic sheets. Their morphology and composition indicate formation from pre-aqueous N-rich precursors and later modification during aqueous alteration. These findings demonstrate that asteroids like Bennu contain complex nitrogen-rich organic phases formed by pre-aqueous and aqueous processes, and they expand the known inventory of potential prebiotic extraterrestrial compounds.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy; USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP) (SC-25)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 3013084
• Journal Information: Nature Astronomy, Journal Name: Nature Astronomy Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English