How does the pH level influence the preservation of L-histidine when adsorbed onto saponite under UV irradiation?
Label:chem
Topic
The pH level can significantly affect the adsorption and stability of organic molecules on mineral surfaces. This study investigates how different pH levels influence the preservation of L-histidine when adsorbed onto saponite under simulated Martian UV conditions.
From: "Photodegradation of the biomarker L-histidine induced by edge sites of a clay mineral in the Martian harsh UV environment", Icarus, Volume 442, December 2025, 116757
Answer
The study found that L-histidine adsorbed onto saponite at acidic pH (pH 4) degrades faster under UV irradiation compared to when adsorbed at basic pH (pH 9.6). This suggests that the adsorption mechanism at acidic pH, involving both intercalation and edge interactions, leads to a more rapid degradation due to the photocatalytic effect of the clay's edge sites. At basic pH, the slower degradation rate indicates that the edge interactions through hydrogen bonding provide some protection against UV-induced degradation. Therefore, the pH level plays a crucial role in determining the preservation of L-histidine on saponite under UV radiation.
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