Life, decay and fossilisation of endolithic microorganisms from the Ross Desert, Antarctica (original) (raw)

Abstract.

The adaptation and survival of the endolithic microorganisms that colonise the near-surface layer of porous sandstone rock in the Ross Desert (Antarctica) depend upon a precarious equilibrium of biological, geological and climatic factors. Any unfavourable change in external conditions can result in the death and disappearance of microscopic organisms, and this may be followed by trace microfossil formation. The sequence of events leading to the extinction of life in the Antarctic desert is considered to be a terrestrial analogue of the disappearance of possible life on early Mars. The present paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the endolithic microorganisms of the Ross Desert with particular reference to their decay and fossilisation processes. Ideas for in situ further research on this microbial ecosystem are also proposed, including several new microscopy techniques such as CLSM, LTSEM, SEM-BSE and EDS. Preliminary images are presented and it is proposed that, for the first time, such techniques will permit the in situ study of the ecology of Antarctic lithobiontic microorganisms and the identification and characterisation of fossilised traces of past life.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Servei de Microscopia Electronica, Universitat de Lleida, c/Rovira Roure, 44, 25198 Lleida, Spain, , , , ,
   Jacek Wierzchos
2. Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, c/Serrano, 115 bis, 28006 Madrid, Spain, , , , ,
   Carmen Ascaso

Authors

1. Jacek Wierzchos
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2. Carmen Ascaso
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Wierzchos, J., Ascaso, C. Life, decay and fossilisation of endolithic microorganisms from the Ross Desert, Antarctica.Polar Biol 24, 863–868 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000100296

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• Accepted: 05 May 2001
• Issue Date: November 2001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000100296

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