Could microorganisms be preserved in Mars gypsum? Insights from terrestrial examples

Research Article| July 01, 2014 Could microorganisms be preserved in Mars gypsum? Insights from terrestrial examples Kathleen Counter Benison; Kathleen Counter Benison Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6300, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6300, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Francis J. Karmanocky, III Francis J. Karmanocky, III Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6300, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6300, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kathleen Counter Benison Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6300, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6300, USA Francis J. Karmanocky, III Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6300, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6300, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 04 Feb 2014 Revision Received: 02 May 2014 Accepted: 06 May 2014 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2014 Geological Society of America Geology (2014) 42 (7): 615–618. https://doi.org/10.1130/G35542.1 Article history Received: 04 Feb 2014 Revision Received: 02 May 2014 Accepted: 06 May 2014 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kathleen Counter Benison, Francis J. Karmanocky; Could microorganisms be preserved in Mars gypsum? Insights from terrestrial examples. Geology 2014;; 42 (7): 615–618. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G35542.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Could the abundant sulfate salts on Mars contain microfossils and/or viable microorganisms? Here we report a variety of microorganisms trapped both as solid inclusions and as potentially viable halophilic and acidophilic prokaryotes and eukaryotes within fluid inclusions in Mars-analog gypsum. We have documented pennate diatoms, green algae, and prokaryotes in gypsum precipitated from acid (pH 1.8–4.6) saline (5%–28% total dissolved solids) waters at Salars Gorbea and Ignorado in an active volcanic terrain in the high Andes (4000+ m) of northern Chile. These salars are strikingly similar in geology and geochemistry to Mars. We propose that this discovery should serve as a model for fossilization of possible life on Mars and may inform methodologies used in future missions to Mars. Furthermore, the potential long-term viability of microorganisms within fluid inclusions in gypsum suggests the possibility of a living, yet isolated and likely dormant, microbiological community on Mars today. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.