Microbial fossil record of rocks from the Ross Desert, Antarctica: implications in the search for past life on Mars

• Published in: International Journal of Astrobiology
• Main Authors: Wierzchos, Jacek, Ascaso, Carmen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2002
• Subjects: Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous); Space and Planetary Science; Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous); Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Antarctic; Mount Fleming; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1473550402001052; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1473550402001052

Cryptoendolithic microbial communities living within Antarctic rocks are an example of survival in an extremely cold and dry environment. The extinction of these micro-organisms formerly colonizing sandstone in the Mount Fleming area (Ross Desert), was probably provoked by the hostile environment. T...