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Sea ice, extremophiles and life on extra-terrestrial ocean worlds

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 04:38 authored by Martin, A, Andrew McMinnAndrew McMinn
The primary aim of this review is to highlight that sea-ice microbes would be capable of occupying ice-associated biological niches on Europa and Enceladus. These moons are compelling targets for astrobiological exploration because of the inferred presence of subsurface oceans that have persisted over geological timescales. Although potentially hostile to life in general, Europa and Enceladus may still harbour biologically permissive domains associated with the ice, ocean and seafloor environments. However, validating sources of free energy is challenging, as is qualifying possible metabolic processes or ecosystem dynamics. Here, the capacity for biological adaptation exhibited by microorganisms that inhabit sea ice is reviewed. These ecosystems are among the most relevant Earth-based analogues for considering life on ocean worlds because microorganisms must adapt to multiple physicochemical extremes. In future, these organisms will likely play a significant role in defining the constraints on habitability beyond Earth and developing a mechanistic framework that contrasts the limits of Earth's biosphere with extra-terrestrial environments of interest.

History

Publication title

International Journal of Astrobiology

Volume

17

Pagination

1-16

ISSN

1473-5504

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Cambridge University Press

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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