Water retention of selected microorganisms and Martian soil simulants under close to Martian environmental conditions

Jänchen, J.; Bauermeister, Anja; Feyh, N.; Vera, J.P. de; Rettberg, Petra; Flemming, Hans‐Curt; Szewzyk, Ulrich

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2013.06.011

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Cyanobacteria are also known to have a higher water storage capacity than algae, especially in lichen photobionts, as they can store large amounts in their extracellular polymeric substances matrices and thus remain photosynthetically active at lower relative humidity values . Moreover, Nostoc commune biofilms showed a superior ability to store water when compared with the lichen Xanthoria elegans , which is constituted of an algal photobiont . High moisture absorption and retention capacities constitute a clear adaptive strategy of cyanobacteria to cope with hyperarid conditions where water is only temporary available.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the same way, the two mineral analogue mixtures used in this study differ in their water content. P‐MRS, a phyllosilicatic mixture, contains mainly montmorillonite (45 wt%) and chamosite (20 wt%) as water‐bearing minerals, whereas S‐MRS, a sulfatic mixture, contains gypsum (30 wt%) as its main water source . The water content and water retention properties of the two analogues have been measured and were shown to be higher for the P‐MRS analogue .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Protection of cyanobacterial carotenoids' Raman signatures by Martian mineral analogues after high‐dose gamma irradiation

Baqué

Hanke

Böttger

et al. 2018

J Raman Spectroscopy

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The future robotic exploration missions to Mars-European Space Agency/ Roscosmos's ExoMars2020 and National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mars2020 rovers-will search for signs of extant or extinct life using, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers for the first time. The question remains whether organic biosignatures-such as pigments and cellular components-may be detected by this method. Evaluating their detection limit under simulated extraterrestrial conditions is therefore crucial for the success of future life detection missions. Ionizing radiation can be considered as the most deleterious factor for the long-term preservation of potential biomarkers on Mars. Here, we report on the preservation potential of Raman signatures in the Antarctic strain CCCryo 231-06 of the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp.after high doses of gamma irradiation. The carotenoids' signals, a wellestablished biosignature model, dominate the Raman spectra at 532-nm excitation wavelength due to resonance effects. But comparing their distribu-KEYWORDS biosignature, carotenoids, ionizing radiation, Raman spectroscopy, search for life on MarsThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protection of cyanobacterial carotenoids' Raman signatures by Martian mineral analogues after high‐dose gamma irradiation

Baqué

Hanke

Böttger

et al. 2018

J Raman Spectroscopy

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“…For example, microbial cryptoendolithic communities that colonize the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks in Antarctica and other deserts to avoid stressful environmental conditions (e.g. ultraviolet (UV) radiation, very low or very high temperatures and very dry conditions) have been studied (Friedmann and Ocampo 1976;Friedmann 1982;Jänchen et al 2014;de Vera et al 2014a). Eukaryotes (e.g.…”

Section: Planetary Field Analogue Environments On Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

et al. 2017

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Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016;Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

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“…Jänchen et al 2014). This may indicate a superior ability of N. commune to store water if compared with lichens and Leptothrix biofilms.…”

Section: Water Sorption Properties Of the Materials At Equilibriummentioning

confidence: 99%

Provision of water by halite deliquescence forNostoc communebiofilms under Mars relevant surface conditions

Jänchen

Feyh

Szewzyk

et al. 2015

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Motivated by findings of new mineral related water sources for organisms under extremely dry conditions on Earth we studied in an interdisciplinary approach the water sorption behaviour of halite, soil component and terrestrial Nostoc commune biofilm under Mars relevant environmental conditions. Physicochemical methods served for the determination of water sorption equilibrium data and survival of heterotrophic bacteria in biofilm samples with different water contents was assured by recultivation. Deliquescence of halite provides liquid water at temperatures <273 K and may serve as water source on Mars during the morning stabilized by the CO 2 atmosphere for a few hours. The protecting biofilm of N. commune is rather hygroscopic and tends to store water at lower humidity values. Survival tests showed that a large proportion of the Alphaproteobacteria dominated microbiota associated to N. commune is very desiccation tolerant and water uptake from saturated NaCl solutions (either by direct uptake of brine or adsorption of humidity) did not enhance recultivability in long-time desiccated samples. Still, a minor part can grow under highly saline conditions. However, the salinity level, although unfavourable for the host organism, might be for parts of the heterotrophic microbiota no serious hindrance for growing in salty Mars-like environments.

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Water retention of selected microorganisms and Martian soil simulants under close to Martian environmental conditions

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

Protection of cyanobacterial carotenoids' Raman signatures by Martian mineral analogues after high‐dose gamma irradiation

Protection of cyanobacterial carotenoids' Raman signatures by Martian mineral analogues after high‐dose gamma irradiation

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

Provision of water by halite deliquescence forNostoc communebiofilms under Mars relevant surface conditions

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