04-9-1112-2013/2022
 
Priority: 1
   
Status: Extended
 
 
Research on Cosmic Matter on Earth and in Nearby Space;
Research on the Biological and Geochemical Specifics
of the Early Earth

Leaders:     E.A. Krasavin
A.Yu. Rozanov
V.N. Shvetsov

Participating countries and international organizations:
Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, United Kingdom, USA.

Issues addressed and main goals of research:
Research and development will include:
  • Biogeochemical studies of cosmic dust

  • Studies of biofossils and organic compounds in meteorites and ancient terrestrial rocks

  • Studies of cosmic matter with nuclear physics methods

  • As a result of studying and generalizing the research materials on modern and fossil cosmic dust as well as ancient terrestrial objects and modern extremophile organisms, data will be obtained on the forms of ancient terrestrial and extraterrestrial life.
As the results:
  • Obtaining new data on the amount of cosmic matter falling on the whole Earth's surface. Obtaining data on the dynamics of cosmic dust fallout on large territories.

  • Evaluation of the following parameters of particles of extraterrestrial origin: morphology, structure, size distribution, and elemental, isotopic, and mineralogical composition. Assessment of changes in these characteristics in different plates in different time intervals.

  • Creation of a cosmic dust collection, where dust microparticles will be characterized by quantity (concentration) and the size distribution.

  • Obtaining new information on the role of microorganisms in the formation and evolution of life on Earth and processes of weathering, precipitation growth, etc.

  • Research on the synthesis of complex prebiotic compounds from formamide under exposure to ionizing radiations of different qualities with meteorite samples as catalysts.

  • Generalization of the obtained data on the forms of ancient terrestrial and, possibly, extraterrestrial life.
Expected results in the current year:
  • To continue the electron microscopy-based search for and study of biofossils in meteorites and the most ancient terrestrial rocks.

  • To continue the detection of fossilized microorganisms in Archaean and early Proterozoic rocks and their study with nuclear physics methods.

  • To continue research on the synthesis of complex prebiotic compounds from formamide under exposure to accelerated ions at different temperatures.

  • To continue the research on the nature of the catalysts participating in the synthesis of complex prebiotic compounds from formamide.

  • To complete the preparation of the 2nd volume of an illustrated atlas of microfossils in meteorites.
List of projects:
  Project Leader Priority
(period of realisation)
1. Research on cosmic matter on
Earth and in nearby space;
research on the biological and
geochemical specifics of
the early Earth		 E.A. Krasavin
Scientific leader:
A.Yu. Rozanov		 1   (2013-2022)

List of Activities
  Activity or Experiment Leaders
Status
      Laboratory or other
    Division of JINR		 Main researchers
1. Studies of biofossils in meteorites
and ancient terrestrial rocks		 A.Yu. Rozanov
E.A. Krasavin
Data taking
Realization
Simulation
  LRB A.K. Rymin, 1 engineer
2. Research on the synthesis of
complex prebiotic compounds
from formamide		 R. Saladino
Data taking
Realization
Simulation
  LRB M.I. Kapralov, 1 student
3. Biogeochemical and biological
studies of cosmic dust		 L.M. Gindilis
Data taking
Realization
Simulation
4. Cosmic matter research with
nuclear physics methods		 V.N. Shvetsov
(FLNP)
Data taking
Realization
Simulation
  FLNP A.Yu. Dmitriev, P.V. Sedyshev, M.V. Frontasyeva

Collaboration
Country or International
Organization		 City Institute or Laboratory
Italy Rome Univ. "La Sapienza"  
  Viterbo UNITUS  
Norway Trondheim NTNU  
Poland Poznan AMU  
Romania Bucharest UB  
  Iasi UAIC  
Russia Moscow IGEM RAS  
    IKI RAS  
    MSU  
    PIN RAS  
    SAI MSU  
  Borok IPE RAS  
  Gatchina NRC KI PNPI  
  Novosibirsk BIC SB RAS  
United Kingdom Buckingham UB  
USA Athens, AL ASU