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Chemosynthesis in deep-sea red-clay: Linking concepts to probable martian life

DRS at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

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Title Chemosynthesis in deep-sea red-clay: Linking concepts to probable martian life
 
Creator Das, A.
Mourya, B.S.
Mamatha, S.S.
Khadge, N.H.
LokaBharathi, P.A.
 
Subject Bacteria
microbial activity
 
Description Chemosynthetic microbial activity could share similarities between Martian and Earth systems. The present study examined the patterns of distribution of chemosynthetic bacteria in the deep-sea red clay sediments of CIB along with chemosynthetic rates and ATP profiles and geotechnical properties to draw parallels between Earth and Mars systems. The approach of the study is to re-analyse the microbial data of CIB in order to strengthen reference in CIB for comparison with Mars samples, to draw plausible parallel between two planetary systems, and to decipher patterns of genetic constitution and their relation to environmental parameters in the deep-sea red clay sediments. Culture dependent and independent analyses along with biochemical and radiochemical analyses were conducted. Prima facie results show highest C-Fixation in the pelagic red clays up to 10-10,000 nmol g-1 dry wt day-1. Anomalously high ATP in the range 100-10,000 ng g-1 have been detected. Presence of Desulfuromonas and Methylobacterium could indicate traces of processes involving the sulphur and methane cycles as could occur in Martian surface/ subsurface. Cultured isolates bore close affinities to Halomonas sp. EB 312, Dietzia sp. WR-3 (96%), Haererehalobacter sp. (96, 94%), Salinicola sp. (93, 97%), Brevibacterium frigoritolerans (98%), Bacillus sp. and others. We hypothesize that heat generated from hydrothermal crust cooling can generate enough photons to support phototrophic microbes. Thesemicrobial existences are not illogical but throw light into Life?s most uncanny secrets. Similarly unlikely analogues and anomalous populations in Martian and Earth environments may expose some ?forbidden? clues to the ?Origin of Life? in planetary systems
 
Date 2014-05-06T11:28:30Z
2014-05-06T11:28:30Z
2014
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Planex, vol.4(2); 2014; 11-15.
http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/4512
 
Language en
 
Rights Copyright [2014]. All efforts have been made to respect the copyright to the best of our knowledge. Inadvertent omissions, if brought to our notice, stand for correction and withdrawal of document from this repository.
 
Publisher Planex