Photosynthesis in Extreme Environments

Thermophile mats of microalgae growing on the woody structure of a cooling tower of a thermoelectric power plant in Central Mexico

“…It is an extreme human-made ambience, whose principal characteristic is the high temperature of the water used in the cooling tower (48-50 • C). In extreme environments, phototrophic microorganisms are frequently found forming thick microbial mats (Aguilera et al, 2012;Tuchman & Blinn, 1979). Also, at the top of the studied cooling tower, the microalgae were growing as conspicuous and dense brown-green mats (Fig.…”

“…Temperature is one of the main factors determining the distribution and abundance of species due to its effects on enzymatic activities (Aguilera, Souza-Egipsy, & Amils, 2012). Therefore, thermophilic algae have thermal tolerant molecules that constitute their cells, while their metabolism is based on thermostable enzymes (Singleton & Amelunxen, 1973).…”

“…It is well known that thermal ecosystems support microalgal communities dominating total ecosystem biomass and productivity (Aguilera et al, 2012;Hindák, Kvíderová, & Lukavský, 2013;Jonker, van Ginkel, & Olivier, 2013;Nikulina & Kociolek, 2011;Reisser, 2013;Stockner, 1967). Since 1969, Castenholz comments that thermal pollution from the water-coolant of power plants (nuclear and conventional) promoted microalgae growth.…”

Organic host analogues and the search for life on Mars

“…Despite the challenging environment, the river maintains a surprisingly diverse array of acidotolerant and halotolerant prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms: photosynthetic eukaryotes, chemolithotrophic bacteria, various heterotrophs, algae and fungi populate the Rio Tinto (Amaral Zettler et al 2002;Sabater et al 2003;Aguilera & Amils 2004). The chemolithotrophs in particular, comprising mainly the iron oxidisers Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, play an important role in creating the region's highly acidic chemistry by oxidizing subsurface iron sulphides to generate sulphuric acid (Ferna´ndez-Remolar et al 2005).…”