The Potential for Survival of Organic Matter in Fluid Inclusions at Impact Sites

Abstract

Fluid inclusions within rocks have potential for the preservation of organic molecules. Trace quantities of biomolecules could be entrapped inside micrometer-scale inclusions during the growth of surface precipitates, reflecting any ambient life in the surrounding waters. Developing technologies for the high-resolution detection of biomolecules offer encouragement for the future detection of these trace biomolecules. The terrestrial geological record shows that organic molecules can survive relatively high temperatures within inclusions, including the temperatures of hydrothermal systems in impact craters.