Stable Carbon Isotope Depletions in Lipid Biomarkers Suggest Subsurface Carbon Fixation in Lava Caves

Selensky, Matthew J.; Masterson, Andrew L.; Blank, Jennifer; Lee, Sohyun C.; Osburn, M. R.

doi:10.1029/2021jg006430

Cited by 14 publications

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References 79 publications

(134 reference statements)

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“…may contribute to the differences in bacteria present inside of the caves from north to south; however, there was a large overlap in the major abundances found. A recent study (Selensky et al., 2021) suggests that surface environment is not a major factor in organic nutrient cycling in lava tubes, which further exemplifies them as isolated environments that may harbor chemolithoautotrophic organisms and biosignatures that are useful in the search for life in extraterrestrial lava tubes. Furthermore, Northup et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper‐Rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

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et al. 2022

Earth and Space Science

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Cave environments on Earth have long provided shelter to a variety of organisms, from microbes to humans. Though their scales of interest differ vastly, these two examples have sought the same comfort from caves: a stable and sheltered environment, protected from the woes of the surface world. Since the discovery of lava caves on Mars (see Sauro et al., 2020 for a review), they have become of renewed interest as targets for human shelter in future missions, as well as areas of astrobiological interest, with the potential of harboring traces of extant or extinct extraterrestrial life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper‐Rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

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et al. 2022

Earth and Space Science

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“…Regarding life potential, recent terrestrial studies revealed that subsurface geological settings provide the most diverse ecosystems—often dominated by chemolithotrophs and novel microbial lifeforms with significant implications for the origin and evolution of life on Earth (Escudero et al., 2020 ; Magnabosco et al., 2018 ; Miller et al., 2020 ; Selensky et al., 2021 ). These microorganisms play vital roles in almost all biological processes, such as global biogeochemical cycling, biomineralization, and pedogenesis (Gaboyer et al., 2017 ; Miller et al., 2018 ; Tornos et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration

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Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary caveprincipally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade WYNNE ET AL.

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“…may contribute to the differences in bacteria present inside of the caves from north to south; however, there was a large overlap in the major abundances found. A recent study (Selensky et al, 2021) suggests that surface environment is not a major factor in organic nutrient cycling in lava tubes, which further exemplifies them as isolated environments that may harbor chemolithoautotrophic organisms and biosignatures that are useful in the search for life in extraterrestrial lava tubes. Furthermore, Northup et al (2016) found that bacterial diversity in Icelandic lava tubes differed substantially from that in surface soil samples, with the most abundant cave phylum being Actinobacteria, followed by Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria.…”

Section: Bacterial Communities Inhabiting Blue Mineral Precipitatesmentioning

confidence: 98%

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper-rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

Kopacz

Csuka

Baqué

et al. 2022

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Stable Carbon Isotope Depletions in Lipid Biomarkers Suggest Subsurface Carbon Fixation in Lava Caves

Abstract: Subsurface microbial communities are found across a range of depths on Earth, spanning shallow environments such as caves and aquifers 1-100 m deep (

Cited by 14 publications

References 79 publications

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper‐Rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper‐Rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration

A Study in Blue: Secondary Copper-rich Minerals and Their Associated Bacterial Diversity in Icelandic Lava Tubes

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