Potential of Hydrothermal Altered Rocks as Potential Scenario for Search of Biosignatures in Exoplanets

Abstract Hydrothermally altered ignimbrite tuff has been characterized by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (micro-XRD). XRF elemental distribution maps show a clear localization of elements according to their weathering and solubility in water, with particular enrichment in iron, sulfur and trace elements within the boundary. Three distinctive patters were observed by XRD; Parent rock (ignimbrite) and boundary's shows enrichment of iron-bearing minerals (sulfides and arsenates and ferro-glaucophane) and recrystallized zone (quartz, sanidine and clays). This segmented arrangement of elements, may stablish a redox potential within the rock and the environment, and in the other hand the inherent porosity of zeolites, allows water and gas transport from the environment to the boundary, resemble a fuel cell array.