Evidence for indigenous nitrogen in sedimentary and aeolian deposits from the
Curiosity
rover investigations at Gale crater, Mars
Authors: Stern Jennifer C. , Sutter Brad , Freissinet Caroline , Navarro-González Rafael , McKay Christopher P. , Archer P. Douglas , Buch Arnaud , Brunner Anna E. , Coll Patrice , Eigenbrode Jennifer L. , Fairen Alberto G. , Franz Heather B. , Glavin Daniel P. , Kashyap Srishti , McAdam Amy C. , Ming Douglas W. , Steele Andrew , Szopa Cyril , Wray James J. , Martín-Torres F. Javier , Zorzano Maria-Paz , Conrad Pamela G. , Mahaffy Paul R. ,   the MSL Science Team, Kemppinen Osku , Bridges Nathan , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Minitti Michelle , Cremers David , Bell James F. , Edgar Lauren , Farmer Jack , Godber Austin , Wadhwa Meenakshi , Wellington Danika , McEwan Ian , Newman Claire , Richardson Mark , Charpentier Antoine , Peret Laurent , King Penelope , Blank Jennifer , Weigle Gerald , Schmidt Mariek , Li Shuai , Milliken Ralph , Robertson Kevin , Sun Vivian , Baker Michael , Edwards Christopher , Ehlmann Bethany , Farley Kenneth , Griffes Shechet Jennifer , Grotzinger John , Miller Hayden , Newcombe Megan , Pilorget Cedric , Rice Melissa , Siebach Kirsten , Stack Katie , Stolper Edward , Brunet Claude , Hipkin Victoria , Léveillé Richard , Marchand Geneviève , Sánchez Pablo Sobrón , Favot Laurent , Cody George , Steele Andrew , Flückiger Lorenzo , Lees David , Nefian Ara , Martin Mildred , Westall Frances , Israël Guy , Agard Christophe , Baroukh Julien , Donny Christophe , Guillemot Philippe , Lafaille Vivian , Lorigny Eric , Paillet Alexis , Pérez René , Saccoccio Muriel , Yana Charles , Armiens‐Aparicio Carlos , Rodríguez Javier Caride , Blázquez Isaías Carrasco , Gómez Felipe Gómez , Gómez-Elvira Javier , Hettrich Sebastian , Malvitte Alain Lepinette , Jiménez Mercedes Marín , Martínez-Frías Jesús , Martín-Soler Javier , - Torres F. Javier Martín , Jurado Antonio Molina , Mora-Sotomayor Luis , Caro Guillermo Muñoz , López Sara Navarro , Peinado-González Verónica , Pla-García Jorge , Manfredi José Antonio Rodriguez , Romeral-Planelló Julio José , Fuentes Sara Alejandra Sans , Martinez Eduardo Sebastian , Redondo Josefina Torres , Urqui-O'Callaghan Roser , Mier María-Paz Zorzano , Chipera Steve , Lacour Jean-Luc , Mauchien Patrick , Sirven Jean-Baptiste , Manning Heidi , Fairén Alberto , Hayes Alexander , Joseph Jonathan , Squyres Steven , Sullivan Robert , Thomas Peter , Dupont Audrey , Lundberg Angela , Melikechi Noureddine , Mezzacappa Alissa , DeMarines Julia , Grinspoon David , Reitz Günther , Prats Benito , Atlaskin Evgeny , Genzer Maria , Harri Ari-Matti , Haukka Harri , Kahanpää Henrik , Kauhanen Janne , Kemppinen Osku , Paton Mark , Polkko Jouni , Schmidt Walter , Siili Tero , Fabre Cécile , Wray James , Wilhelm Mary Beth , Poitrasson Franck , Patel Kiran , Gorevan Stephen , Indyk Stephen , Paulsen Gale , Gupta Sanjeev , Bish David , Schieber Juergen , Gondet Brigitte , Langevin Yves , Geffroy Claude , Baratoux David , Berger Gilles , Cros Alain , d’Uston Claude , Forni Olivier , Gasnault Olivier , Lasue Jérémie , Lee Qiu-Mei , Maurice Sylvestre , Meslin Pierre-Yves , Pallier Etienne , Parot Yann , Pinet Patrick , Schröder Susanne , Toplis Michael , Lewin Éric , Brunner Will , Heydari Ezat , Achilles Cherie , Oehler Dorothy , Sutter Brad , Cabane Michel , Coscia David , Israël Guy , Szopa Cyril , Dromart Gilles , Robert François , Sautter Violaine , Le Mouélic Stéphane , Mangold Nicolas , Nachon Marion , Buch Arnaud , Stalport Fabien , Coll Patrice , François Pascaline , Raulin François , Teinturier Samuel , Cameron James , Clegg Sam , Cousin Agnès , DeLapp Dorothea , Dingler Robert , Jackson Ryan Steele , Johnstone Stephen , Lanza Nina , Little Cynthia , Nelson Tony , Wiens Roger C. , Williams Richard B. , Jones Andrea , Kirkland Laurel , Treiman Allan , Baker Burt , Cantor Bruce , Caplinger Michael , Davis Scott , Duston Brian , Edgett Kenneth , Fay Donald , Hardgrove Craig , Harker David , Herrera Paul , Jensen Elsa , Kennedy Megan R. , Krezoski Gillian , Krysak Daniel , Lipkaman Leslie , Malin Michael , McCartney Elaina , McNair Sean , Nixon Brian , Posiolova Liliya , Ravine Michael , Salamon Andrew , Saper Lee , Stoiber Kevin , Supulver Kimberley , Van Beek Jason , Van Beek Tessa , Zimdar Robert , French Katherine Louise , Iagnemma Karl , Miller Kristen , Summons Roger , Goesmann Fred , Goetz Walter , Hviid Stubbe , Johnson Micah , Lefavor Matthew , Lyness Eric , Breves Elly , Dyar M. Darby , Fassett Caleb , Blake David F. , Bristow Thomas , DesMarais David , Edwards Laurence , Haberle Robert , Hoehler Tori , Hollingsworth Jeff , Kahre Melinda , Keely Leslie , McKay Christopher , Wilhelm Mary Beth , Bleacher Lora , Brinckerhoff William , Choi David , Conrad Pamela , Dworkin Jason P. , Eigenbrode Jennifer , Floyd Melissa , Freissinet Caroline , Garvin James , Glavin Daniel , Harpold Daniel , Jones Andrea , Mahaffy Paul , Martin David K. , McAdam Amy , Pavlov Alexander , Raaen Eric , Smith Michael D. , Stern Jennifer , Tan Florence , Trainer Melissa , Meyer Michael , Posner Arik , Voytek Mary , Anderson Robert C , Aubrey Andrew , Beegle Luther W. , Behar Alberto , Blaney Diana , Brinza David , Calef Fred , Christensen Lance , Crisp Joy A. , DeFlores Lauren , Ehlmann Bethany , Feldman Jason , Flesch Gregory , Hurowitz Joel , Jun Insoo , Keymeulen Didier , Maki Justin , Mischna Michael , Morookian John Michael , Parker Timothy , Pavri Betina , Schoppers Marcel , Sengstacken Aaron , Simmonds John J. , Spanovich Nicole , Juarez Manuel de la Torre , Vasavada Ashwin R. , Webster Christopher R. , Yen Albert , Archer Paul Douglas , Cucinotta Francis , Jones John H. , Ming Douglas , Morris Richard V. , Niles Paul , Rampe Elizabeth , Nolan Thomas , Fisk Martin , Radziemski Leon , Barraclough Bruce , Bender Steve , Berman Daniel , Dobrea Eldar Noe , Tokar Robert , Vaniman David , Williams Rebecca M. E. , Yingst Aileen , Lewis Kevin , Leshin Laurie , Cleghorn Timothy , Huntress Wesley , Manhès Gérard , Hudgins Judy , Olson Timothy , Stewart Noel , Sarrazin Philippe , Grant John , Vicenzi Edward , Wilson Sharon A. , Bullock Mark , Ehresmann Bent , Hamilton Victoria , Hassler Donald , Peterson Joseph , Rafkin Scot , Zeitlin Cary , Fedosov Fedor , Golovin Dmitry , Karpushkina Natalya , Kozyrev Alexander , Litvak Maxim , Malakhov Alexey , Mitrofanov Igor , Mokrousov Maxim , Nikiforov Sergey , Prokhorov Vasily , Sanin Anton , Tretyakov Vladislav , Varenikov Alexey , Vostrukhin Andrey , Kuzmin Ruslan , Clark Benton , Wolff Michael , McLennan Scott , Botta Oliver , Drake Darrell , Bean Keri , Lemmon Mark , Schwenzer Susanne P. , Anderson Ryan B. , Herkenhoff Kenneth , Lee Ella Mae , Sucharski Robert , Hernández Miguel Ángel de Pablo , Ávalos Juan José Blanco , Ramos Miguel , Kim Myung-Hee , Malespin Charles , Plante Ianik , Muller Jan-Peter , Navarro-González Rafael , Ewing Ryan , Boynton William , Downs Robert , Fitzgibbon Mike , Harshman Karl , Morrison Shaunna , Dietrich William , Kortmann Onno , Palucis Marisa , Sumner Dawn Y. , Williams Amy , Lugmair Günter , Wilson Michael A. , Rubin David , Jakosky Bruce , Balic-Zunic Tonci , Frydenvang Jens , Jensen Jaqueline Kløvgaard , Kinch Kjartan , Koefoed Asmus , Madsen Morten Bo , Stipp Susan Louise Svane , Boyd Nick , Campbell John L. , Gellert Ralf , Perrett Glynis , Pradler Irina , VanBommel Scott , Jacob Samantha , Owen Tobias , Rowland Scott , Atlaskin Evgeny , Savijärvi Hannu , Boehm Eckart , Böttcher Stephan , Burmeister Sönke , Guo Jingnan , Köhler Jan , García César Martín , Mueller-Mellin Reinhold , Wimmer-Schweingruber Robert , Bridges John C. , McConnochie Timothy , Benna Mehdi , Franz Heather , Bower Hannah , Brunner Anna , Blau Hannah , Boucher Thomas , Carmosino Marco , Atreya Sushil , Elliott Harvey , Halleaux Douglas , Rennó Nilton , Wong Michael , Pepin Robert , Elliott Beverley , Spray John , Thompson Lucy , Gordon Suzanne , Newsom Horton , Ollila Ann , Williams Joshua , Vasconcelos Paulo , Bentz Jennifer , Nealson Kenneth , Popa Radu , Kah Linda C. , Moersch Jeffrey , Tate Christopher , Day Mackenzie , Kocurek Gary , Hallet Bernard , Sletten Ronald , Francis Raymond , McCullough Emily , Cloutis Ed , ten Kate Inge Loes , Kuzmin Ruslan , Arvidson Raymond , Fraeman Abigail , Scholes Daniel , Slavney Susan , Stein Thomas , Ward Jennifer , Berger Jeffrey , Moores John E. , Mitchell Julie , Jean-Rigaud Laurent , Lee Rebekka , Nikitczuk Matthew , Thomas Alicia , Kaplan Hannah , Buz Jennifer , Lapôtre Mathieu , Nastan Abbey , Anderson Dana , Said David , Larif Marie-France , Mousset Valérie , Alves Verdasca José Alexandre , Martín-Sauceda Martín Jaime , Moreno Gines , Valentín-Serrano Patricia , Ullán-Nieto Aurora , Mendaza de Cal Teresa , Azeez Sherif , Ren Jun , Mrigakshi Alankrita , Ritter Birgit , Berger Thomas , Matthiä Daniel , Genzer Maria , Mäkinen Teemu , Merikallio Sini , Spring Justin , Daydou Yves , Rapin William , Beck Pierre , Archer Paul Douglas , Abbey William , Blacksberg Jordana , Lichtenberg Kimberly , Milkovich Sarah , Schroeder Jeffrey , Scodary Anthony , Williford Kenneth , Bonnet Jean-Yves , Millan Maëva , Thuillier Franck , Joulin Mélissa , Le Deit Laetitia , Dequaire Tristan , Hardy Keian , Pagel Hannah , Parra Alex , Beach Michael , Magee Angela , McBride Marie , Kotrc Benjamin , Berlanga Genesis , Ozanne Marie , Lepore Kate , Arevalo Ricardo , Domagal-Goldman Shawn , Getty Stephanie , Graham Heather , Cropper Kevin , Lisov Denis , Shterts Ruslan , Dehouck Erwin , Battalio Michael , Mason Emily , McLain Hannah , Starr Richard , Kirk Randolph , de Vicente-Retortillo Rubalcaba Álvaro , Guzewich Scott , Fendrich Kim , Appel Jan Kristoffer , Kharytonov Alexander , Lohf Henning , Orthen Tobias , Edwards Peter , Kashyap Srishti , Pinnick Veronica , Carey Clifton , Sciascia Borlina Cauê , Desrousseaux Roch , Fischer Erik , Martínez Martínez Germán , Becker Richard , Liu Lu , Stewart Wayne , Coman Ecaterina I. , Fox Valerie , McCullough Emily , Francis Raymond , Matthews Tristan , Moore Casey , Kloos Jacob 
Published: March 2015

Significance

We present data supporting the presence of an indigenous source of fixed nitrogen on the surface of Mars in the form of nitrate. This fixed nitrogen may indicate the first stage in development of a primitive nitrogen cycle on the surface of ancient Mars and would have provided a biochemically accessible source of nitrogen.