Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Upper boundary of the biosphere.

A A Imshenetsky, S V Lysenko, G A Kazakov

    Applied and Environmental Microbiology
    |January 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, were discovered in the mesosphere (48-77 km) for the first time. Pigmented microbial species suggest adaptation to UV radiation, with higher counts during dust storms.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Laser Excitation of the Th-229 Nucleus.

    Physical review letters·2024
    Same author

    [Rare cases of head traumas incited by propeller blades of small vessels].

    Sudebno-meditsinskaia ekspertiza·2023
    Same author

    DFT calculation of <sup>229</sup>thorium-doped magnesium fluoride for nuclear laser spectroscopy.

    Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2020
    Same author

    Prospects for measuring the <sup>229</sup>Th isomer energy using a metallic magnetic microcalorimeter.

    Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment·2015
    Same author

    [Collagenolytic enzymes synthesized by microorganisms].

    Mikrobiologiia·1996
    Same author

    [The role of chlamydial infection in the genesis of tuboperitoneal sterility in women].

    Akusherstvo i ginekologiia·1993

    Area of Science:

    • Astrobiology
    • Microbiology
    • Atmospheric Science

    Background:

    • The upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere, has been largely unexplored for microbial life.
    • Understanding microbial presence in extreme environments is crucial for astrobiology and atmospheric studies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the presence and types of microorganisms in the Earth's mesosphere.
    • To determine if microorganisms can survive and adapt to mesospheric conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized meteorological rockets equipped with specially designed, sterilized analyzers to collect air samples from 48 to 77 km altitude.
    • Employed high gamma-ray doses for sterilization to prevent contamination during sample collection.

    Main Results:

    • Successfully detected and cultured microorganisms, including fungi (Circinella muscae, Aspergillus niger, Papulaspora anomala, Penicillium notatum) and bacteria (Mycobacterium luteum, Micrococcus albus), in mesospheric samples.
    • Observed that five of the six identified species synthesized pigments.
    • Noted a higher incidence of microorganisms in the mesosphere during dust storm events compared to calm conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Microorganisms can inhabit the mesosphere, challenging previous assumptions about life's upper atmospheric limits.
    • The presence of pigmented microorganisms suggests a role for natural selection, with pigment synthesis potentially conferring resistance to intense ultraviolet radiation.
    • Atmospheric conditions, such as dust storms, may influence the distribution and prevalence of airborne microbes in the mesosphere.

    Related Experiment Videos