Biology
Scientific paper
Dec 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agufm.b52b..08s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #B52B-08
Biology
0406 Astrobiology And Extraterrestrial Materials, 0448 Geomicrobiology, 0456 Life In Extreme Environments, 1060 Planetary Geochemistry (5405, 5410, 5704, 5709, 6005, 6008), 5200 Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology
Scientific paper
Studies of Earth's deep biosphere over the past decade have shown that remarkable varieties of environments previously thought to be uninhabitable actually harbor significant quantities and a great diversity of microbial life. It has become apparent that many of the microorganisms living below the Earth's surface rely on geochemical reactions rather than photosynthesis as metabolic energy sources. Because of similarities in geochemical processes that are likely occurring, there are other examples of celestial bodies in our solar system that may also harbor subsurface biospheres, most notably Mars and the jovian moon, Europa. We can use lessons learned through investigations of Earth's deep biosphere to assess the possibility that life may exist below the surface of these worlds. In this presentation, we discuss some of what we know about Earth's deep biosphere and what it may tell us about the nature of life in similar environments outside of Earth. As plans are made for missions to search for deep biospheres on other worlds, we also explore what may be the most appropriate analogs here on Earth and how the methods being developed to study Earth's deep biosphere may aid in our search. Comparisons will be made between habitats on Earth that may be analgous to those postulated to exist on Mars and Europa.
Girguis P.
Orcutt Beth
Schulte Marius
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