The role of habitat structure for biomolecule integrity and microbial survival under extreme environmental stress in Antarctica (and Mars?): ecology and technology

Wynn-Williams, D.D.; Newton, E.M.; Edwards, H.G.M.. 2001 The role of habitat structure for biomolecule integrity and microbial survival under extreme environmental stress in Antarctica (and Mars?): ecology and technology. In: Ehrenfreund, P.; Angerer, O.; Battrick, B., (eds.) Exo-/astro-biology. Proceedings of the First European Workshop, 21 - 23 May 2001, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy. Noordwijk, European Space Agency, 225-237. (ESA Special Paper, 496).

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Official URL: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/2001ESASP.496..225W

Abstract/Summary

The integrity of cells and biomolecules in stressed environments is enhanced within microhabitats. Despite desiccation and low temperatures in Antarctic deserts, the greatest near-surface factor is solar radiation. Photosynthetic microbial communities that pioneer polar deserts harness photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) whilst concurrently adopting protective strategies against UVB with screening pigments or avoidance in stratified habitats. To analyse whole communities in situ, we use laser Raman spectroscopy as a non-intrusive technique for organic compounds and mineral substrata. We use the distinctive spectra of cyanobacterial and lichen UV-screening pigments, and energy-quenching carotenoids to define their functional locations. Their occurrence in extreme habitats and in the fossil record permits extrapolation to conditions on early Earth and analogous habitats on early Mars. We describe our Raman spectral database accumulated with a laboratory FT Raman spectrometer and expansion to Antarctic fieldwork and astrobiology with a novel miniature 1064 nm laser system with an Indium-Gallium-Arsenide detector.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISBN:	92-9092-806-9
Date made live:	14 Nov 2012 10:44 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20358

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds

ISBN:

92-9092-806-9

Date made live:

14 Nov 2012 10:44 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20358