Biology
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p33b1768r&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P33B-1768
Biology
[0406] Biogeosciences / Astrobiology And Extraterrestrial Materials, [0448] Biogeosciences / Geomicrobiology, [5220] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology / Hydrothermal Systems And Weathering On Other Planets, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
Discrete locales of sulfate-rich bedrocks exist on Mars and in many cases represent the products of acid-sulfate alteration of martian basalt. In some places, the products have been attributed to hydrothermal processes from local volcanism. In order to evaluate the habitability of such an environment, we are investigating the geochemical and biological composition of active fumaroles at Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua, where fresh basaltic cinders similar in composition to martian basalts are altered by acidic, sulfur-bearing gases. Temperatures at active fumaroles can reach as high as 400°C and the pH of the steam ranges from <0 to 5. Adjacent to some fumaroles, silica is being precipitated from condensing steam on the crater walls and endolithic photosynthetic mats are found at 1-2 cm depth within these silica deposits. We have analyzed one of these mats, Monkey Cheek (T=65°C, pH ~4.5), for both Archaeal and Bacterial diversity. Cloning of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes reveals a diverse community of Bacteria, with eight phyla represented. The most common bacterial sequences belonged to the Cyanobacteria and Ktedonobacteria, however Actinobacteria, alpha-Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were also identified. Many of the cyanobacterial sequences were similar to those of the eukaryotic Cyanidiales, red algae that inhabit acidic, geothermal environments. Many of sequences related to Ktedonobacteria and Actinobacteria have also been found in acid mine drainage environments. The Archaeal community was far less diverse, with sequences matching those of unclassified Desulfurococcales and unclassified Thermoprotei. These sequences were more distant from isolated species than the bacterial sequences. Similar bacterial and archaeal communities have been found in hot spring environments in Yellowstone National Park, Greenland, Iceland, New Zealand and Costa Rica. Some of Mars' volcanoes were active for billions of years and by analogy to Cerro Negro, may have hosted photosynthetic organisms that could have been preserved in alteration mineral assemblages. Even on a generally cold and dry Mars, volcanic craters likely provided long-lived warm and wet conditions and should be a key target for future exploration assessing habitability.
Hynek Brian Michael
McCollom Thomas M.
Rogers Karyn L.
No associations
LandOfFree
Photosynthesis within Mars' volcanic craters?: Insights from Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua 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 Photosynthesis within Mars' volcanic craters?: Insights from Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photosynthesis within Mars' volcanic craters?: Insights from Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-870833