Cryptoendolith communities in Antarctic dry valley region sandstones: Potential analogues of Martian life-forms

We are studying cryptoendolith-bearing Antarctic sandstones, to determine if the microbes alter the elemental composition of the rocks. If there is an effect, then it might be a tracer for the presence of micro-organisms in martian surface materials.

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Blackhurst, R. L., Jarvis, K., Verchovsky, Sasha, Grady, Monica
Format: Conference Object
Language:English
Published: 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:https://oro.open.ac.uk/8720/
https://oro.open.ac.uk/8720/1/CRYPTOENDOLITH_COMMUNITIES_IN_ANTARCTIC_DRY_VALLEY_REGION_SANDSTONES.pdf
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2003/pdf/1576.pdf
Description
Summary:We are studying cryptoendolith-bearing Antarctic sandstones, to determine if the microbes alter the elemental composition of the rocks. If there is an effect, then it might be a tracer for the presence of micro-organisms in martian surface materials.