belleraphon1
Hydrogen Atom
Number of posts : 1
Registration date : 2009-01-15
 | | Subject: Microbial Life in a Liquid Asphalt Desert - Titan Analog 20th April 2010, 6:21 pm | |
| Microbial Life in a Liquid Asphalt Desert
Abstract
An active microbiota, reaching up to 10 cells/g, was found to inhabit a naturally occurring asphalt lake characterized by low water activity and elevated temperature. Geochemical and molecular taxonomic approaches revealed novel and deeply branching microbial assemblages mediating anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation, metal respiration and C1 utilization pathways. These results open a window into the origin and adaptive evolution of microbial life within recalcitrant hydrocarbon matrices, and establish the site as a useful analog for the liquid hydrocarbon environments on Saturn’s moon Titan.
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1004/1004.2047.pdf
This microbiota must still be derived from traditonal organisms but find this intereseting.
Last edited by Sirius_Alpha on 20th April 2010, 11:44 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Slight formatting.) | |
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marasama
SuperEarth
Number of posts : 220
Location : Earth
Registration date : 2008-04-22
| | Subject: Re: Microbial Life in a Liquid Asphalt Desert - Titan Analog 21st April 2010, 12:59 pm | |
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Thanks,
CarpD (^_^)
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