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Using geophysics and geochemistry to find life in the solar system
- Source: First Break, Volume 37, Issue 6, Jun 2019, p. 79 - 80
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- 01 Jun 2019
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Abstract
On Earth, geophysical and geochemical data are used in the exploration and production of petroleum. Geophysical data are used to reveal what is below the Earth’s surface and where petroleum deposits may be located. Geochemical data are used to identify the chemistries and therefore potential petroleum products of organic-rich source rocks and to assess whether those source rocks are mature enough to have generated petroleum. Geochemical data are also used to correlate organic-rich source rocks with identified petroleum reservoirs to reveal possible migration routes and to reveal whether reservoirs are subdivided into compartments. In space, similar approaches are followed to search for past or present life on other planets and moons with geophysical methods revealing the environment and geochemical methods identifying the source of any organic matter.