Extreme environments as Mars terrestrial analogs: The Rio Tinto case
- 作者：Ricardo Amils ; Elena Gonzá ; lez-Toril ; David Ferná ; ndez-Remolar ; Felipe Gó ; mez ; Á ; ngeles Aguilera ; Nuria Rodrí ; guez ; Mustafá ; Malki ; Antonio Garcí ; a-Moyano ; Alberto G. Fair&
- 关键词：Extremophiles ; Acidophiles ; Iberian Pyritic Belt ; Chemolithoautotrophy ; Iron cycle ; Sulfates ; Iron oxides ; Hematite ; Mars ; Meridiani planum
- 刊名：Planetary and Space Science
- 出版年：2007
- 期刊代码：60_00320633
- 类别：ph
- 出版时间：February 2007
- 卷：55
- 期：3
- 页码：370-381
- 文件大小：1309 K
摘要
The geomicrobiological characterization of the Río Tinto (Iberian Pyritic Belt) has recently proven the importance of the iron cycle, not only in the generation of the extreme conditions of the habitat (low pH, high concentration of heavy metals), but also in the maintenance of a high level of microbial diversity. The presence of vast deposits of sulfates and iron oxides on Mars, the main products of the bioleaching of iron containing sulfides found in Río Tinto, and the physico-chemical properties of iron as a source of energy, protection from radiation and oxidative stress as well as pH control, make Río Tinto an interesting Mars terrestrial analog.