Call for Abstracts
Abstract Deadline — August 13, 2021, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (GMT -5)
Abstract Topics:
To help organize the conference, the abstract submission form will require you to select at least one topic representative of the work presented in your abstract. We invite research abstracts that generally respond to the following themes and topics:
Brines
This theme covers the physical and chemical characteristics of brines in the solar system and how we can investigate them with in-situ and laboratory methods. Abstract topics for this theme include:
- Brine physiochemistry & stability: Salinity, chaotropicity, temperature ranges, and physiochemical effects on solutes within planetary brines; phase changes and long-term thermal stability of brines; effects of brine physiochemistry on energy and nutrient diffusion.
- Instrumentation: Strategies and technical requirements for detection of brines on and beyond Earth; technical requirements for laboratory studies of planetary brines and analog fluids.
- Salts: Identification of salts in planetary environments; modern-day production and alteration of salt assemblages; biosignature and organic material preservation potential of salt crystals; fluid inclusions in salt crystals as tracers of brine evolution.
Geology
This theme covers the interaction between brines and their physical environment. Abstract topics for this theme include:
- Geology/Geomorphology: The observation and classification of rock and ice units that bear evidence for modern brines; identification of brine sources; analysis of brine-related geomorphological features; studies of surface flow and discharge.
- Geochemistry/Petrology/Mineralogy: Analysis of the chemical composition and/or mineral precipitates of modern brines; pathways for chemical or thermal alteration processes; mineral precipitation and salinity estimates.
- Geophysics: Analysis of energy sources that can support modern brines; geophysical detection methods; tectonic origins of subsurface pathways for brine flow.
Astrobiology
This topic covers the biologic potential of modern planetary brines, including the sources of nutrients and energy required for life as well as prebiotic organic chemistry. Abstract topics for this theme include:
- Biosignatures: The detection and analysis of chemical, isotopic, or physical evidence for biological processes occurring in modern brines; abundance relationships of redox sensitive elements that may be used for metabolic processes; markers of geomicrobiological life in terrestrial brines that may be applied to the planetary context.
- Habitability & Biophysics: The study of the theoretical environmental limits of metabolic processes; availability and stability of nutrient and energy sources; extremophile adaptations to environmental stressors; temperature, salinity, water activity, chaotropicity limits of biological processes.
- Prebiotic chemistry: Studies of organic geochemistry in brine environments; origin of self-replicating molecules from abiotic systems; stability of prebiotic molecules in modern brine conditions; analysis of hydrothermal environments and other sources of prebiotic energy.
- No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
- Abstracts sent by e-mail will not be considered.
- Abstracts are limited to two pages.
- All abstracts must be submitted as PDF files.
- All abstracts must be submitted in U.S. letter size format (8.5” × 11”) and include a one-inch margin on all four sides; A4 submissions will be rejected by the system.
- Abstract file sizes must be no larger than 3 MB; larger files will be automatically rejected by the system.
- If not using the template provided, leave a one-inch margin on all four sides of your document.
Authors are encouraged to start the submission process early so the LPI staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems. For technical assistance, contact Linda Garcia (281-486-2142), or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Unable to Produce PDF Files? Authors who are unable to produce a PDF file may send their source files (must be in Word or PostScript format) to the LPI no later than August 4, 2021. A PDF file will be created and returned to the author, but it is the author’s responsibility to submit the PDF file by the time of the abstract deadline. Source files should be sent to [email protected].
If you need to revise your abstract (prior to the deadline only): If you discover an error and need to replace your abstract file, or correct the information submitted on the form, return to the abstract submission portion of the meeting portal and click on the “Update” link that appears next to the title of the abstract you submitted.
Preparation and Submission of Abstracts
Step 1: Download the appropriate template.
Step 2: Write the abstract (no more than two pages) using the format shown in the template.
Step 3: Create a PDF file (no larger than 3 MB).
Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload the abstract file.
