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Application of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of organic inclusions in minerals for the field of exobiology
Osterrothová, Kateřina ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Němec, Ivan (referee) ; Vandenabeele, Peter (referee)
The multidisciplinary field of astrobiology has grown rapidly in recent years. The major goals of research in the field have been the search for habitable environments both within and outside our solar system, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry and life on Mars and other bodies in our solar system, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in space. NASA and ESA are heavily focused on a number of upcoming exploratory missions (e.g., the Mars Science Laboratory, with its planned launch in the fall 2011; ExoMars 2018; and the follow-up Mars Sample Return missions beyond 2020). A Raman spectrometer is now being miniaturized for the ExoMars Rover Instrument Suite. This Raman instrument is expected to be used to identify organic compounds and mineral products that could be related to signatures of life, as well as provide a general mineralogical overview, especially those minerals produced by water- related processes. This thesis describes the results of laboratory investigation into the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy to detect different types of biomarkers (pigments, carboxylic acids, and aminoacids) first mixed in the mineral matrices and...
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Raman spectrometry of pigments of cyanobacteria, algae and lichens in the astrobiology context
Kovács, Michal ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Osterrothová, Kateřina (referee)
This work deals with the possibility of Raman spectroscopical identification of selected biomarkers of extremophile species. It focuses mainly on selected cyanobacteria, algae and lichens with an emphasis on the ability to detect carotenoids. These pigments exhibit three characteristic bands of Raman spectra which represent stretching vibrations C=C; C-C and bending vibration C-CH3 in molecules of carotenoids. Raman spectra were measured not only by laboratory microspectrometers (λ - 514 nm and 532 nm), but also by portable and handheld spectrometers (λ - 532 nm, 785 nm and 700 - 1100 nm). In the case of cyanobacteria, the spectroscopical analysis was performed also on the fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This work critically evaluates the possibilities of Raman spectroscopy to identify the carotenoids of cyanobacteria, algae and lichens. Besides the signal of carotenoids, interpretation of other bands in the Raman spectra corresponding to the presence of other biomarkers is given here for selected samples. The obtained Raman spectra of carotenoids should be interpreted with great caution, because of the ifluence of several factors, which potentially cause unsystematic shifts in the positions of Raman bands (carotenoids bond in biological tissue, interactions with...
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Raman spectrometry of carotenoids of selected microorganisms
Novotná, Julie ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Machovič, Vladimír (referee)
In this thesis Raman spectroscopy is evaluated as a tool of identification and discrimination of carotenoids from microbial biomass. Microorganisms, halophilic or nonhalophilic, belong to Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and to others. Biomass was cultiveted under laboratory conditions and yielded varied colours. Raman spectra were recorded succesfully from lyophilized biomass by excitation wavelenth 514.5 nm (dispersive Raman microspectrometr) and 1064 nm (FT Raman spectrometer). Results were compared with Raman spectroscopic data from pigment extracts. Spectra of carotenoids are characterized by the main Raman bands υ1, υ2 a υ3 due to C=C stretching, C-C stretching and C-CH3 deformation. HPLC/UV-VIS allows effective pigment separation from extracts and detection of separated pigments by UV-VIS analyzator. Assessment of Raman analysis and its potential to detect microbial carotenoids are discused. Sarcinaxantin is an unusual carotenoid identified together with more common β - carotene. Raman spectroscopic results obtained on carotenoids recorded from colonies which accumulated more than one carotenoid need to be interpreted carefully. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Use of portable Raman spectrometers for detection of sulfates: potential application in exobiology
Košek, Filip ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Němec, Ivan (referee)
The detection of mineral phases under in situ conditions has become a primary but sometimes also challenging task in many fields of geoscience. Raman spectroscopy has been used as a powerful tool for the identification of various minerals and organic compounds. The advantages and the relative simplicity made this method a promising choice in the future planetary exploration missions to Mars. The deposits of aqueous minerals including sulfates have been found on the Martian surface. With the development of miniaturized handheld spectrometers there is a need for evaluation of Raman spectroscopy as a method of identification of sulfate phases in their natural conditions. In the first part of this work a handheld spectrometer equipped with 532 nm excitation laser was tested under laboratory conditions during which the ability to distinguish mineral samples representing sulfates of different chemical composition and different degree of hydration was investigated. In the second part, two handheld Raman spectrometers equipped with 532 and 785 nm excitation lasers were used for the characterization of sulfate phases on sites of their natural occurrence located in the Czech Republic. The quality of the Raman spectra acquired under outdoor conditions by both spectrometers was rather average but sufficient to...
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Estimation of Raman spectrometric instruments (785 nm excitation) for detection of dark minerals
Šimon, Jan ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Machovič, Vladimír (referee)
Summary: Raman spectroscopy is a widely used method in geoscience fields. Using a portable Raman spectrometer is possible to identify different materials, Raman spectrometer will participate in the survey the Martian surface. Its use is widely applied in mineralogy. There was measured a set of dark, green and some bright minerals of different mineralogical system groups that have been assessed the applicability of the chosen detector excitation at 785 nm mainly off-road equipment. The obtained spectra were measured off-road equipment ahura at excitation 785 nm and laboratory equipment InVia Renishaw and there were used lasers at excitaion of 785 nm and 514 nm. It was set of these minerals: Prehnite, Sulphur, Tyrkenit (howlit), Pyroxene (diopside), Libethenite, Toutmaline (verdelite), Dioptas, Klinoklas, Langit, Jadeit, Pseudomalachit (ehlit), Actinolite, Epidote, Augite. Results are composed of field measurement device Ahura, with excitation 785 nm and laboratory apparatus Invite Renishaw excitations with 785 nm and 514 nm. Measured values are arranged in tables, where the measurements are compared with each other, including literature and reference graphically demonstrated in the form of spectra. Subsequently evaluated their measurability. Keywords: Raman spektroscopy, portable Raman spectrometer,...
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Detection of nitrogen containing biomarkers using portable Raman spectrometers - use in exobiology
Schneedörfler, Rudolf ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Machovič, Vladimír (referee)
This thesis was focused on testing of portable Raman spectrometer for detection of components in model mixtures of five different biomolecules in a gypsum matrix. The main goal was to test the ability of the instrument to detect amino acids glycine, L-proline, L-alanine and nucleobase thymine in samples containing UV protective pigment -carotene. Other measurements were taken using the laboratory inVia Reflex instrument to comapare the results gained from the portable Raman spectrometer. Both instruments were equipped with the excitation laser working at 785 nm wavelength. It was found out that it is possible to detect amino acid in mixtures containing -carotene at the lowest concentration of amino acid 100 g/kg and the maximum concentration of -carotene 1 g/kg. Thymine could be identified at the concentration of 100 g/kg in mixtures with higher concentration of -carotene (10 g/kg). In mixtures of -carotene at the concentration of 1 g/kg and only one of the studied nitrogen containg compounds (at the concentration of 100 g/kg) in the gypsum matrix, it was possible to detect all present components. In mixtures containing two nitrogen compounds with -carotene at the concentration of 1 g/kg in the gypsum matrix, both nitrogenous compounds could be detected. When measuring the samples of the three nitrogen...
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Estimation of Raman spectrometric instruments (785 nm excitation) for detection of dark minerals
Šimon, Jan ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Machovič, Vladimír (referee)
Summary: Raman spectroscopy is a widely used method in geoscience fields. Using a portable Raman spectrometer is possible to identify different materials, Raman spectrometer will participate in the survey the Martian surface. Its use is widely applied in mineralogy. There was measured a set of dark, green and some bright minerals of different mineralogical system groups that have been assessed the applicability of the chosen detector excitation at 785 nm mainly off-road equipment. The obtained spectra were measured off-road equipment ahura and delta nu at excitation 785 nm and laboratory equipment InVia Renishaw and there were used lasers at excitaion of 785 nm and 514 nm. It was set of these minerals: Prehnite, Sulphur, Tyrkenit (howlit), Pyroxene (diopside), Libethenite, Toutmaline (verdelite), Dioptas, Klinoklas, Langit, Jadeit, Pseudomalachit (ehlit), Actinolite, Epidote, Augite. Some minerals were measured off-road equipment acquired spectrum, witch corresponded with laboratory measurements, the spectra of other optical properties due to their ambiguous. Keywords: Raman spektroscopy, portable Raman spectrometer, mineralogy, dark and green minerals
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Extremophiles and their environments - possibilities of using Raman spectroscopy for key biomarkers detection
Kovács, Michal ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Osterrothová, Kateřina (referee)
The Earth has a huge variety of living environments. Most of them, in terms of human, are affected by factors with extreme values. Species diversity, especially in the world of microorganisms, have created adaptations that help manage these conditions. Organisms, which live in these conditions, are called extremophiles. Each of them leaves a trace of their existence, whether present or past. These traces are called biomarkers and if we use appropriate method, we are able to identify them. This bachelor thesis brings a brief overview of the basic extremophiles and the environment in which they live. Furthermore, briefly describes the use of Raman spectroscopy to identify significant biomarkers, such as for the needs of exobiology.
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Raman spectormetry in Art
Minaříková, Laura ; Jehlička, Jan (advisor) ; Osterrothová, Kateřina (referee)
This thesis deals with the use of Raman spectroscopy in the arts, specifically in the identification of precious stones and semi-precious stones in various art works. This work describes the basics of this method, options and practical use based on selected scientific publications. The existing results of research in recent years shows that this spectroscopic analytical method on the rise. It is thanks to the many advantages that this method offers skilled in the art. The main advantages of Raman spectroscopy include speed and affordability analysis, minimal or no sample preparation, and most importantly - non-destructive to sample and explore the possibility of sample on the spot, without having to often very difficult transport to the laboratory. Key words Raman spectrometry, art, characterization of artifacts
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Anthracological analysis of chernozems in Czechia
Danková, Lenka ; Zádorová, Tereza (referee) ; Šefrna, Luděk (advisor)
This thesis deals with a pedogenesis of chernozems in Czechia (Central Europe). It solves a problem with open landscapes in Central Europe, further a role of man and fires in formation of this soils and relation between colour of chernozems and the content of black carbon. In my thesis is represented pedoanthracology as a method, which can be useful for future study of open landscapes in Central Europe and for an influence of man. In this thesis, there were also analysed two chernozemic soils with Raman spektrometry. It was found out, that chernozems was probably formed under forest-steppe vegetation with residue of post glacial steppe. Anthropogenic activity and fires could be new factors of pedogenesis of Central European chernozems. It was showed a strong relation between colour and content of BC. Raman spectrometry found a presence of BC in our analysed soils.
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