The Antarctic cryptoendolithic ecosystem - Relevance to exobiology

• Main Authors: Friedmann, E. I., Ocampo-Friedmann, R.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: 55; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Thin Rock; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19840057725

Cryptoendolithic microorganisms in the Antarctic desert live inside porous sandstone rocks, protected by a thin rock crust. While the rock surface is abiotic, the microclimate inside the rock is comparatively mild. These organisms may have descended from early, pre-glaciation Antarctic life forms an...