Discovery of Ancient , Microorganisms Could Impact , the Search for Alien Life.
A team of researchers have discovered
830-million-year-old microorganisms
that could still be alive. .
'Vice' reports that the discovery
may have implications for
the search for alien life on Mars. .
A team from West Virginia University discovered the microorganism in a piece of ancient halite in the Browne sediment formation in central Australia.
A team from West Virginia University discovered the microorganism in a piece of ancient halite in the Browne sediment formation in central Australia.
Halite is the mineral form
of sodium chlorine that forms
in both saltwater and salty lake water.
The microscopic organisms were discovered
in a fluid inclusion, a pocket of gas
or water trapped in the rock. .
Even after such a significant
amount of time, these microorganisms
are still detectable. We might find
biosignatures in similar minerals
(halite and gypsum) on Mars
that are returned to Earth, Sara Schreder-Gomes, First author on the paper and former Master’s Candidate in Geology at West Virginia University, via Motherboard.
The authors of the study suggest the organisms could be extremophiles, microbes that live in extreme temperature or acidity conditions. .
We know that modern halophilic
(salt-loving) organisms, including
bacteria, archaea, algae, and fungi,
have ‘survival mechanisms’ that allow
them to survive adverse conditions, Sara Schreder-Gomes, First author on the paper and former Master’s Candidate in Geology at West Virginia University, via Motherboard.
Vice reports that rocks
in the Browne Formation share
similarities with Martian rocks. .
Mars once had saline lakes which
formed halite and could also potentially
be home to surviving microorganisms.
Mars once had saline lakes which
formed halite and could also potentially
be home to surviving microorganisms.
Ancient chemical sediments, both of terrestrial and extraterrestrial origin, should be considered potential hosts for ancient microorganisms and organic compounds, Researchers, via paper published in 'Geology'
