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Microbial activity at gigapascal pressures.

Anurag Sharma1, James H Scott, George D Cody

  • 1Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road, N.W., Washington, DC 20015, USA. sharma@gl.ciw.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Microbial life, including Shewanella oneidensis and Escherichia coli, remains viable and metabolically active at extreme pressures up to 1600 MPa. This finding significantly expands the known habitable zones within the solar system.

Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Microbiology
  • Geophysics

Background:

  • The limits of microbial life under extreme hydrostatic pressure are not well understood.
  • Previous studies have not explored pressures exceeding a few hundred megapascals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological and metabolic activity of bacteria at ultra-high pressures.
  • To determine the viability of microorganisms under pressures relevant to deep subsurface or icy moon environments.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized diamond anvil cells to achieve pressures from 68 to 1680 megapascals (MPa).
  • Monitored biological formate oxidation as a measure of metabolic activity.
  • Assessed bacterial viability through direct observation and post-pressure recovery.

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Main Results:

  • Shewanella oneidensis MR1 and Escherichia coli MG1655 exhibited metabolic activity (formate oxidation) up to 1060 MPa.
  • Bacteria remained viable within ice-VI fluid inclusions at pressures between 1200 and 1600 MPa.
  • Viability was confirmed upon return to ambient pressure after exposure to extreme conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial life can persist and remain active at pressures significantly higher than previously demonstrated.
  • These findings broaden the potential for life in extraterrestrial environments, such as subsurface oceans on icy moons.