 |
|
Methane found in desert soils bolsters theories that life could exist on Mars
November 01, 2005USC scientist and collaborators are the first to find methane-producing bacteria in arid desert soils
Los Angeles, Calif.-Evidence of methane-producing organisms can be found in inhospitable soil environments much like those found on the surface of Mars, according to experiments undertaken by scientists and students from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and the University of Arkansas and published online in the journal Icarus.
These results, they say, provide ample impetus for similar "biodetection experiments" to be considered for future missions to Mars.
"Methane-producing organisms are the ones most likely to be found on Mars," notes Joseph Miller, Ph.D., associate professor of cell and neurobiology at the Keck School and one of the study's lead researchers. "And, in fact, methane was detected on Mars last year."
Methane is considered to be a biological signature for certain living organisms that metabolize organic matter under conditions of low or no oxygen. Terrestrial methanogens (methane-producers) are typically found in environments largely protected from atmospheric oxygen, such as peat bogs, oceanic methane ices and anoxic levels of the ocean. But they had not previously been detected in an arid desert environment.
To see if methane could be found in Mars-like soil, the investigators collected soil and vapor samples from the arid environment of the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, and then compared them with vapor samples taken from the Idaho High Desert and soil samples from Death Valley, the Arctic and the Atacama desert in Chile. Three of five vapor samples from the Utah site showed the presence of methane; there was no methane found in any of the vapor samples from Idaho. Similarly, while five of 40 soil samples from Utah produced methane after the addition of growth medium to the samples-indicating that the methane was being given off by a biological organism, most likely a bacterium-none of the other soil samples showed signs of methane production.
Finding methane in the Utah desert is no guarantee that methane-producers exist on Mars, admits Miller, who has previously analyzed data from the Viking Lander missions and found that soil samples taken in the 1970s from the Martian surface exhibited a circadian rhythm in what appeared to be nutrient metabolism, much like that present in terrestrial microbes. However, Miller says, this recent experiment does provide "proof of principle [in that] it improves the case that such bacteria can and might exist on the Martian surface." And that, he adds, surely warrants further investigation during future missions to Mars.
In conclusion, the researchers write, "The detection of methane, apparently of biological origin, in terrestrial desert regolith bodes well for future biodetection experiments in at least partially analogous Martian environments."
University of Southern California
"Methane-producing organisms are the ones most likely to be found on Mars," notes Joseph Miller, Ph.D., associate professor of cell and neurobiology at the Keck School and one of the study's lead researchers. "And, in fact, methane was detected on Mars last year."
Methane is considered to be a biological signature for certain living organisms that metabolize organic matter under conditions of low or no oxygen. Terrestrial methanogens (methane-producers) are typically found in environments largely protected from atmospheric oxygen, such as peat bogs, oceanic methane ices and anoxic levels of the ocean. But they had not previously been detected in an arid desert environment.
To see if methane could be found in Mars-like soil, the investigators collected soil and vapor samples from the arid environment of the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, and then compared them with vapor samples taken from the Idaho High Desert and soil samples from Death Valley, the Arctic and the Atacama desert in Chile. Three of five vapor samples from the Utah site showed the presence of methane; there was no methane found in any of the vapor samples from Idaho. Similarly, while five of 40 soil samples from Utah produced methane after the addition of growth medium to the samples-indicating that the methane was being given off by a biological organism, most likely a bacterium-none of the other soil samples showed signs of methane production.
Finding methane in the Utah desert is no guarantee that methane-producers exist on Mars, admits Miller, who has previously analyzed data from the Viking Lander missions and found that soil samples taken in the 1970s from the Martian surface exhibited a circadian rhythm in what appeared to be nutrient metabolism, much like that present in terrestrial microbes. However, Miller says, this recent experiment does provide "proof of principle [in that] it improves the case that such bacteria can and might exist on the Martian surface." And that, he adds, surely warrants further investigation during future missions to Mars.
In conclusion, the researchers write, "The detection of methane, apparently of biological origin, in terrestrial desert regolith bodes well for future biodetection experiments in at least partially analogous Martian environments."
University of Southern California
Methane Current Events and Methane News RSSInteractions with aerosols boost warming potential of some gases
For decades, climate scientists have worked to identify and measure key substances -- notably greenhouse gases and aerosol particles -- that affect Earth's climate.
Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.
Caltech researchers reveal unexpected sources of nitrogen fixation
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have identified an unexpected metabolic ability within a symbiotic community of microorganisms that may help solve a lingering mystery about the world's nitrogen-cycling budget.
Arctic land and seas account for up to 25 percent of world's carbon sink
In a new study in the journal Ecological Monographs, ecologists estimate that Arctic lands and oceans are responsible for up to 25 percent of the global net sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Coal-mining hazard resembles explosive volcanic eruption, study shows
Worldwide, thousands of workers die every year from mining accidents, and instantaneous coal outbursts in underground mines are among the major killers. But although scientists have been investigating coal outbursts for more than 150 years, the precise mechanism is still unknown.
Mystery Solved: Marine Microbe Is Source of Rare Nutrient
A new study of microscopic marine microbes, called phytoplankton, by researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the University of South Carolina has solved a ten-year-old mystery about the source of an essential nutrient in the ocean.
Denver to Barcelona: Global cities and greenhouse gas emissions
Denver released the largest amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) and Barcelona the smallest amount in a new study documenting how differences in climate, population density and other factors affect GHG emissions in global cities.
Carnegie Institution
The future of the Earth could rest on potentially dangerous and unproven geoengineering technologies unless emissions of carbon dioxide can be greatly reduced, a new study has found.
International Greenland ice coring effort sets new drilling record in 2009
A new international research effort on the Greenland ice sheet with the University of Colorado at Boulder as the lead U.S. institution set a record for single-season deep ice-core drilling this summer, recovering more than a mile of ice core that is expected to help scientists better assess the risks of abrupt climate change in the future.
Stressed crops emit more methane than thought
Scientists at the University of Calgary have found that methane emission by plants could be a bigger problem in global warming than previously thought.
More Methane Current Events and Methane News Articles
 |
Methane Generation from Human, Animal, and Agricultural Wastes by National Academy of Sciences (Author) This book deals with the need for alternative energy supplies. Our fossil fuel reserves will eventually be exhausted. Moreover, these reserves are unequally distributed and are becoming too costly for many countries that must purchase them. In addition, the cost of transportation may sharply limit the use of fossil fuels in the rural areas of many developing countries. And, as recent events have shown, the cost – and the availability – of these fuels is determined less by market forces than by the decision of the producing nations. This report is devoted to the development of an alternative energy resource suitable for individual or village use in a rural environment. An ideal resource is one that is local in origin and can produce energy useful for this purpose depending only... |
 |
Anal Madness from the Man with the Rumbling Ring by Mr. Methane |
 |
21st Century Essential Guide to Methane and Biogas: Landfill Methane and Manure for Energy, AgStar Program, Recovery and Mitigation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions ... Biofuels, Bioenergy, and Biobased Products by World Spaceflight News (Author) This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM contains a great collection of documents and publications from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on methane and biogas, greenhouse gas emissions and sources, and related topics, including the AgStar Program, the use of agricultural material and manure for methane and biogas production, methane recovery and emission mitigation, carbon cycle science, black carbon, carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry. This is part of our comprehensive series of discs and ringbound documents on renewable energy, biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products. This incredible CD-ROM has nearly 9,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software - allowing direct... |
 |
SafetySiren Family Safety Combustible Gas (Propane Methane) Detector by SafetySiren Detects dangerous levels of Methane and Propane gas. Computerized calibration helps eliminate false alarms. Built-in self-diagnostics assures the unit is operating properly. Easily plugs into any standard 110-120v AC electrical outlet and samples the air every 2-1/2 minutes. UL 1484 Certified. Lock tab feature makes the detector tamper proof. Advanced surface mount circuitry increases reliability. Powerful 85dB Alarm. 5 year warranty. |
 |
Oakley Men's Methane 2 Sandal,New Khaki,10 M US by Oakley Blow away the competition with the sporty Methane 2 sandals from Oakley. Premium leather upper in a casual flip-flop sandal style with a round open toe. Flexible nylon fabric toe thong post. Leather instep straps with inset fabric and RED CODE(TM) technology for the comfortable feel of an athletic shoe. Fabric lining, contoured footbed. Shock-absorbing EVA midsole, rubber traction outsole. |
 |
Oakley Men's Methane 2 Sandal,Bone,8 M US by Oakley |
 |
Cardiovascular Research - Dim-Sum (Di-Indole Methane), 50mg, 60 capsules by Cardiovascular Research |
 |
History -- Mega Disasters: Methane Explosion Also With: Creative Differences (Producer) The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history was caused by a gigantic eruption of methane gas from deep in the oceans 250 million years ago. That's the theory of a Northwestern University scientist, who says similar, if smaller, disasters have occurred This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 |
The National 2009 Concert Poster by Methane Studios by Methane Studios |
 |
Methane (Lateral View) T-shirt by SHOPZEUS Our standard t-shirts are made of 100% cotton and preshrunk (ultra cotton heavyweight). We typically use Gildan Activewear but at times may substitute with other brand name t-shirts. We carry thousands of t-shirts with sayings. To view additional t-shirts please visit our storefront on Amazon (Shopzeus.com) and search for t-shirt. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |