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Abstract EANA2026-37


Hyperarid Evaporitic Systems as Martian Analogues: The Tanezrouft Sabkha and Its Astrobiological Potential

Mattia Paladini(1), Youcef Sellam (2), Yelena Caddeo (3), Francesca Mancini (4), Alice Tarozzi (1), Giorgio Gasparotto (1), Sakina Khallef (5), Angelo Pio Rossi (6), Monica Pondrelli (3), Cavalazzi B. (1,7)
1 Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy 2 Space Reseach and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 3 Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Osservatorio Astronomico d'Abruzzo (INAF-OAAB), Teramo, Italy 4 International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Geologia, Università d’Annunzio, Pescara, Italy 5 Département des Sciences Biologiques, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université Kasdi Merbah, Ouargla, Algérie 6 Earthgraph GmbH, Bremen, Germany 7 Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa


The search for evidence of past or present life on Mars increasingly focuses on evaporitic environments, which are considered favorable settings for both habitability and the long-term preservation of biosignatures, including organic matter, microbial remains, biominerals, and fluid inclusions (1,2,3). Investigating terrestrial evaporitic analogues is therefore essential for refining life-detection strategies and identifying potential habitable microenvironments relevant to future Mars exploration.

In this context, the sabkha deposits of the Tanezrouft Basin (Algerian Sahara) are investigated as a planetary field analogue for Martian evaporitic systems (4,5). The Tanezrouft Basin represents one of Earth’s most extreme hyperarid and hypersaline environments, characterized by mineral assemblages and physicochemical conditions comparable to those inferred for ancient evaporitic settings on Mars.

Sabkha samples were analyzed using an integrated multi-analytical approach combining optical petrography of thin sections, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). This analytical workflow enabled the characterization of evaporitic fabrics, mineralogical textures, and diagenetic features relevant to habitability and biosignature preservation.

Preliminary results indicate that the Tanezrouft sabkha deposits contain several microenvironmental features favorable to biosignature entombment and potential microbial persistence. Evaporitic minerals provide protected niches through crystal lattices, pore spaces, and fluid inclusions capable of trapping and isolating organic compounds from degradation. Fine-grained sedimentary textures and early diagenetic mineralization may further enhance preservation potential under extreme environmental conditions.

These findings support evaporitic deposits as high-priority targets for Mars exploration and sample return missions, reinforcing the astrobiological significance of terrestrial evaporitic analogues for investigating habitability and interpreting potential biosignatures in Martian sedimentary records.

 

We acknowledge financial support under the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1, Call for tender No. 104 published on 2.2.2022 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), funded by the European Union-NextGeneraRonEU – CUP J53D23001630006 - Grant Assignment Decree No. 2022LFXTKY adopted by the Italian Ministry of Ministry of University and Research (MUR).