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Gypsum sustains microbial life under extreme conditions – this could help us study Mars

03.20.26 | Frontiers

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Aggregates of gypsum crystals in stromatolitic sample from northern Chile.
Pink arrows point to spherical, radiating aggregates of gypsum crystals observed in the lower part of stromatolitic sample from Salar de Pajonales in northern Chile. These structures illustrate gypsum mineralization associated with microbial biosignatures. Credit: Tebes-Cayo et al., 2026.

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

10.3389/fspas.2025.1693302

Experimental study

Not applicable

Gypsum as a repository of extinct and extant biosignatures at Salar de Pajonales, northern Chile

5-Feb-2026

The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Keywords

Cyanobacteria Mars Microorganisms Space Sciences

Article Information

Journal
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
DOI
10.3389/fspas.2025.1693302
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Publication Date
2026-02-05
Article Title
Gypsum as a repository of extinct and extant biosignatures at Salar de Pajonales, northern Chile
COI Statement
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Contact Information

Deborah Pirchner
Frontiers
press@frontiersin.org

Source

Original Source
https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2026/03/19/overheating-lizards-vulnerable-sharks-frontiers-photo-highlights

How to Cite This Article

APA:
Frontiers. (2026, March 20). Gypsum sustains microbial life under extreme conditions – this could help us study Mars. Brightsurf News. https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LRD9OE58/gypsum-sustains-microbial-life-under-extreme-conditions-this-could-help-us-study-mars.html
MLA:
"Gypsum sustains microbial life under extreme conditions – this could help us study Mars." Brightsurf News, Mar. 20 2026, https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LRD9OE58/gypsum-sustains-microbial-life-under-extreme-conditions-this-could-help-us-study-mars.html.