Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain

Details Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain

Oct 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011epsc.conf..461v&link_type=abstract

EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011, held 2-7 October 2011 in Nantes, France. http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc-dps2011, p.461

Mathematics

Logic

Scientific paper

Abundant sulfate minerals are present on Mars hence sulfur isotopes are likely to be a key tool for the detection of any past or present life. To investigate the link between the activity of sulfate reducing microorganisms and sulfur isotope fractionation, we incubated sediments from a modern hyper-acidic, Ferich subareal environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain. This site has been frequently used as a geochemical analogue of Mars. Sediments were sampled from the upper part of Rio Tinto (Marismilla) and the estuary (Moguer). Laboratory incubations were carried out at 30°C, using an artificial input solution with sulfate in excess [1]. Electron donors were provided by the natural substrate. Initial data indicate moderate biological sulfate reduction rates of between 5 and 90 nmol·cm-3·h-1 both in Marismilla and in Moguer, independent of the pH of the input solution. Sulfur isotope fractionation was extreme in the Moguer estuary, extending beyond the maximum of 47‰ predicted by the standard Rees model [2]. These data indicate that sulfur isotopes have a potential to be sensitive indicators of biotic activity in Martian environments containing sulfate minerals.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Microbial sulfur isotope fractionation in a Mars analogue environment at Rio Tinto, SW Spain will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1477687