The identification of sulfide oxidation as a potential metabolism driving primary production on late Noachian Mars

Macey, Michael C.; Fox-Powell, Mark; Ramkissoon, Nisha K.; Stephens, Ben; Barton, T.; Schwenzer, S. P.; Pearson, Victoria K.; Cousins, C. R.; Olsson-Francis, Karen

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67815-8

Cited by 28 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 135 publications

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“…Metabolisms dominating acidic hydrothermal environments would be sulphur oxidation, and potentially sulphate respiration, iron oxidation/reduction and nitrate respiration. Overall, our results suggest that sulphur‐driven redox metabolisms are the most plausible across different pH environments, as both volcanic systems investigated bear hydrothermal pools with sulphur available for sulphate respiration and sulphur oxidation using either CO 2 or H 2 , consistent with findings from other Mars relevant environments (Macey et al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Volcanic controls on the microbial habitability of Mars‐analogue hydrothermal environments

et al. 2021

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Due to their potential to support chemolithotrophic life, relic hydrothermal systems on Mars are a key target for astrobiological exploration. We analysed water and sediments at six geothermal pools from the rhyolitic Kerlingarfjöll and basaltic Kverkfjöll volcanoes in Iceland, to investigate the localised controls on the habitability of these systems in terms of microbial community function. Our results show that host lithology plays a minor role in pool geochemistry and authigenic mineralogy, with the system geochemistry primarily controlled by deep volcanic processes. We find that by dictating pool water pH and redox conditions, deep volcanic processes are the primary control on microbial community structure and function, with water input from the proximal glacier acting as a secondary control by regulating pool temperatures. Kerlingarfjöll pools have reduced, circum‐neutral CO2‐rich waters with authigenic calcite‐, pyrite‐ and kaolinite‐bearing sediments. The dominant metabolisms inferred from community profiles obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing are methanogenesis, respiration of sulphate and sulphur (S0) oxidation. In contrast, Kverkfjöll pools have oxidised, acidic (pH < 3) waters with high concentrations of SO42‐ and high argillic alteration, resulting in Al‐phyllosilicate‐rich sediments. The prevailing metabolisms here are iron oxidation, sulphur oxidation and nitrification. Where analogous ice‐fed hydrothermal systems existed on early Mars, similar volcanic processes would likely have controlled localised metabolic potential and thus habitability. Moreover, such systems offer several habitability advantages, including a localised source of metabolic redox pairs for chemolithotrophic microorganisms and accessible trace metals. Similar pools could have provided transient environments for life on Mars; when paired with surface or near‐surface ice, these habitability niches could have persisted into the Amazonian. Additionally, they offer a confined site for biosignature formation and deposition that lends itself well to in situ robotic exploration.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Volcanic controls on the microbial habitability of Mars‐analogue hydrothermal environments

et al. 2021

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“…Bristow et al [23] considered the importance of longevity of such clement conditions as an aspect of habitability more explicitly. Several microbial metabolic pathways have been hypothesized to have occurred in Mars' history [55][56][57][58][59], and here we briefly discuss some of those suggested to be relevant and important to potential microbial habitability at Gale crater, based primarily on mineral indicators of geochemical conditions.…”

Section: Habitability and Microbial Organismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as Detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover

Rampe

Bristow

et al. 2021

Minerals

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Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, landed on Mars in August 2012 to investigate the ~3.5-billion-year-old (Ga) fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary deposits of Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) and the surrounding plains (Aeolis Palus) in Gale crater. After nearly nine years, Curiosity has traversed over 25 km, and the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray diffraction instrument on-board Curiosity has analyzed 30 drilled rock and three scooped soil samples to date. The principal strategic goal of the mission is to assess the habitability of Mars in its ancient past. Phyllosilicates are common in ancient Martian terrains dating to ~3.5–4 Ga and were detected from orbit in some of the lower strata of Mount Sharp. Phyllosilicates on Earth are important for harboring and preserving organics. On Mars, phyllosilicates are significant for exploration as they are hypothesized to be a marker for potential habitable environments. CheMin data demonstrate that ancient fluvio-lacustrine rocks in Gale crater contain up to ~35 wt. % phyllosilicates. Phyllosilicates are key indicators of past fluid–rock interactions, and variation in the structure and composition of phyllosilicates in Gale crater suggest changes in past aqueous environments that may have been habitable to microbial life with a variety of possible energy sources.

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“…Several clusters of chemolithotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria were identified in the network analysis (Figure 7 ), suggesting that BI is a cooperative environment in which C fixed by autotrophic bacteria can then be utilized by heterotrophic organisms (e.g., Lysobacter , Kaistobacter ). Additionally, heterotrophic bacteria and especially anaerobic respiration can help to replenish substrates for autotrophs (Macey et al, 2020 ). A very tightly clustered group, comprising bacteria and archaea, albeit at low abundance, was identified in the network analysis (Figure 7 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Active microbial ecosystem in glacier basal ice fuelled by iron and silicate comminution‐derived hydrogen

et al. 2021

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The basal zone of glaciers is characterized by physicochemical properties that are distinct from firnified ice due to strong interactions with underlying substrate and bedrock. Basal ice (BI) ecology and the roles that the microbiota play in biogeochemical cycling, weathering, and proglacial soil formation remain poorly described. We report on basal ice geochemistry, bacterial diversity (16S rRNA gene phylogeny), and inferred ecological roles at three temperate Icelandic glaciers. We sampled three physically distinct basal ice facies (stratified, dispersed, and debris bands) and found facies dependent on biological similarities and differences; basal ice character is therefore an important sampling consideration in future studies. Based on a high abundance of silicates and Fe‐containing minerals and, compared to earlier BI literature, total C was detected that could sustain the basal ice ecosystem. It was hypothesized that C‐fixing chemolithotrophic bacteria, especially Fe‐oxidisers and hydrogenotrophs, mutualistically support associated heterotrophic communities. Basal ice‐derived rRNA gene sequences corresponding to genera known to harbor hydrogenotrophic methanogens suggest that silicate comminution‐derived hydrogen can also be utilized for methanogenesis. PICRUSt‐predicted metabolism suggests that methane metabolism and C‐fixation pathways could be highly relevant in BI, indicating the importance of these metabolic routes. The nutrients and microbial communities release from melting basal ice may play an important role in promoting pioneering communities establishment and soil development in deglaciating forelands.

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The identification of sulfide oxidation as a potential metabolism driving primary production on late Noachian Mars

Cited by 28 publications

References 135 publications

Volcanic controls on the microbial habitability of Mars‐analogue hydrothermal environments

Volcanic controls on the microbial habitability of Mars‐analogue hydrothermal environments

A Review of the Phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as Detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover

Active microbial ecosystem in glacier basal ice fuelled by iron and silicate comminution‐derived hydrogen

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