Table 1.

An Instrument Suite for Life Detection and Sample Characterization in Planetary Exploration

Technique	Measurement	Relevance	Evidence of life?
XRD and NIR	Mineralogy: Phyllosilicates, Pyroxene, plagioclases	Sedimentary context. Possible organic–mineral interactions, protection of the organic matter	No
Raman	High background. Phyllosilicates and pigments detected	Relevant sample that may contain organic matter and a biomarker: beta-carotene.	No
DRIFTS (MIR)	Organic chemistry, chemical bonds, and functional groups: C-H, C=C, C-N	Diverse organic matter associated with certain minerals. Chemical diversity and potential biochemistry	Possibly. Unequivocal signatures from proteins must be found
TG/MS	Water, acetic acid, alcohols, aromatic compounds, hydrocarbons?	Complex organic chemistry. Possibly biological polymers: proteins, polysaccharides	Possibly. Unequivocal signatures from biopolymers must be found
SOLID-LDChip	Cyanobacterial biomarkers with phylogenetic affiliation: Nostocales, Oscillatoriales	Confirm complex biology. Phylogenetic affiliation and ecosystem features: benthonic, planktonic	Yes. Biochemical and biological 3D structures found. Microbial markers

A summary of the different techniques used in this work and the obtained information following increasing complexity (from top to bottom).

3D = three-dimensional; DRIFTS = diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy; LDChip = Life Detector Chip; MS = mass spectrometry; SOLID = Signs Of LIfe Detector; TG = thermogravimetry.