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Ordinary stoichiometry of extraordinary microorganisms
M Neveu1, A T Poret-Peterson1, A D Anbar1,2
1School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Geobiology
|August 28, 2015
Summary
Microbial life in Yellowstone
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Life on Earth shares conserved elemental stoichiometry.
- Understanding stoichiometry in extreme environments informs the search for extraterrestrial life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the elemental stoichiometry of extremophile microbes from Yellowstone National Park's hot springs.
- To compare microbial elemental composition across diverse physicochemical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Collected phototrophic and chemotrophic microbes from Yellowstone hot springs with varying temperature, pH, redox, and nutrient levels.
- Measured major and trace element stoichiometry of microbial cells.
Main Results:
- Microbial stoichiometry in Yellowstone's extreme environments was similar to microbes in moderate environments.
- Observed high carbon:phosphorus (C:P) and nitrogen:phosphorus (N:P) ratios, suggesting phosphorus limitation.
- Molybdenum (Mo) content was higher in chemotrophs than phototrophs.
Conclusions:
- Elemental stoichiometry of life is conserved even in extreme environments.
- Yellowstone microbes exhibit conserved elemental composition, similar to life elsewhere on Earth.
- Stoichiometry provides insights into life's adaptability and potential for extraterrestrial existence.
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