Use of cyanobacteria for in-situ resource use in space applications

Olsson-Francis, Karen; Cockell, Charles S.

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2010.05.005

Cited by 66 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The rocks were washed in double distilled (dd) H 2 O, sonicated in acetone for 1 min and then dried overnight at 80°C. The rocks were ground using a Tema swing mill, for 8 min, to a fraction size of <1 mm, before being autoclaved at 121°C for 15 min (Olsson‐Francis & Cockell, ). Microprobe analysis, as described by Herrera et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

The effect of rock composition on cyanobacterial weathering of crystalline basalt and rhyolite

et al. 2012

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The weathering of volcanic rocks contributes significantly to the global silicate weathering budget, effecting carbon dioxide drawdown and long-term climate control. The rate of chemical weathering is influenced by the composition of the rock. Rock-dwelling micro-organisms are known to play a role in changing the rate of weathering reactions; however, the influence of rock composition on bio-weathering is unknown. Cyanobacteria are known to be a ubiquitous surface taxon in volcanic rocks. In this study, we used a selection of fast and slow growing cyanobacterial species to compare microbial-mediated weathering of bulk crystalline rocks of basaltic and rhyolitic composition, under batch conditions. Cyanobacterial growth caused an increase in the pH of the medium and an acceleration of rock dissolution compared to the abiotic controls. For example, Anabaena cylindrica increased the linear release rate (R(i)(l)) of Ca, Mg, Si and K from the basalt by more than fivefold (5.21-12.48) and increased the pH of the medium by 1.9 units. Although A. cylindrica enhanced rhyolite weathering, the increase in R(i)(l) was less than threefold (2.04-2.97) and the pH increase was only 0.83 units. The R(i)(l) values obtained with A. cylindrica were at least ninefold greater with the basalt than the rhyolite, whereas in the abiotic controls, the difference was less than fivefold. Factors accounting for the slower rate of rhyolite weathering and lower biomass achieved are likely to include the higher content of quartz, which has a low rate of weathering and lower concentrations of bio-essential elements, such as, Ca, Fe and Mg, which are known to be important in controlling cyanobacterial growth. We show that at conditions where weathering is favoured, biota can enhance the difference between low and high Si-rock weathering. Our data show that cyanobacteria can play a significant role in enhancing rock weathering and likely have done since they evolved on the early Earth.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

The effect of rock composition on cyanobacterial weathering of crystalline basalt and rhyolite

et al. 2012

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“…It is known that cyanobacteria are capable of the alteration of some calcium containing minerals (Garcia-Pichel, 2006;Garcia-Pichel et al, 2010), however despite their common presence on rock surfaces in natural environments their potential role in silicate mineral weathering and nutrient release is at present poorly understood. Only a small number of laboratory-based studies on cyanobacterial bioweathering of silicate minerals exist and none of the studies specifically looked at the cell-mineral interface and the potential chemical changes occurring there (Brehm et al, 2005;Büdel et al, 2004;Chizhikova et al, 2009;Gorbushina and Palinska, 1999;Olsson-Francis and Cockell, 2010). As a result, here, we characterise, by analytical TEM, the physical structure and composition of the top few layers of a sheet silicate mineral, biotite with a cyanobacterium incubated on its surface for three months.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the role of microbes in mineral weathering: Nanometre-scale characterisation of the cell–mineral interface using FIB and TEM

Ward

Kapitulčinová

Brown

et al. 2013

Micron

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Focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation in combination with subsequent transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis are powerful tools for nanometre-scale examination of the cell-mineral interface in bio-geological samples. In this study, we used FIB-TEM to investigate the interaction between a cyanobacterium (Hassallia byssoidea) and a common sheet silicate mineral (biotite) following a laboratory-based bioweathering, incubation experiment. We discuss the FIB preparation of cross-sections of the cell mineral interface for TEM investigation. We also establish an electron fluence threshold in biotite for the transition from scanning (S)TEM electron beam induced contamination build up on the surface of biotite thin sections to mass loss, or hole-drilling within the sections. Working below this threshold fluence nanometre-scale structural and elemental information has been obtained from biotite directly underneath cyanobacterial cells incubated on the biotite for three months. No physical alteration of the biotite was detected by TEM imaging and diffraction with little or no elemental alteration detected by STEM energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental line scanning nor by energy filtered TEM (EF-TEM) jump ratio elemental mapping. As such we present evidence that the cyanobacterial strain of Hassallia byssoidea did not cause any measurable alteration of biotite, within the resolution limits of the analysis techniques used, after three months of incubation on its surface.

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“…The use of cyanobacteria for in-situ resource utilization was first approached by growing different strains of commercially available and extremophilic cyanobacteria on different Martian and Lunar mineral analogues [52].…”

Section: Contribution Of Desert Cyanobacteria To Human Space Explorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacteria from Extreme Deserts to Space

Billi¹,

Baqué²,

Smith³

et al. 2013

AiM

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The development of space technology makes the exposure of organisms and molecules to the space environment possible by using the ESA Biopan and Expose facilities and NASA nanosatellites; the aim is to decipher the origin, evolution and distribution of life on Earth and in the Universe. The study of microbial communities thriving in lithic habitats in cold and hot deserts is gathering appreciation when dealing with the limits of life as we know it, the identification of biosignatures for searching life beyond Earth and the validation of the (litho)-Panspermia theory. Cyanobacteria of the genus Chroococcidiopsis dominate rock-dwelling communities in extreme deserts that are considered terrestrial analogues of Mars, like the Dry Valleys in Antarctica, the Atacama Desert in Chile or the Mojave Desert in California. The extraordinary tolerance of these cyanobacteria towards desiccation, ionizing and UV radiation makes them suitable experimental strains which have been already used in astrobiological experiments and already selected for future space missions. Evidence gained so far supports the use of desert cyanobacteria to develop life support systems and in-situ resource utilization for the human space exploration and settlement on the Moon or Mars.

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Use of cyanobacteria for in-situ resource use in space applications

Cited by 66 publications

References 20 publications

The effect of rock composition on cyanobacterial weathering of crystalline basalt and rhyolite

The effect of rock composition on cyanobacterial weathering of crystalline basalt and rhyolite

Investigating the role of microbes in mineral weathering: Nanometre-scale characterisation of the cell–mineral interface using FIB and TEM

Cyanobacteria from Extreme Deserts to Space

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