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2012 Annual Science Report

NASA Ames Research Center Reporting  |  SEP 2011 – AUG 2012

Mineralogical Traces of Early Habitable Environments

Project Summary

The goal of our work is to understand how habitability (potential to support life) varies across a range of physical and chemical parameters, in order to support a long-term goal of characterizing habitability of environments on Mars. The project consists of two main components: 1. We are examining the interplay between physicochemical environments and associated microbial communities in a subsurface environment dominated by serpentinization (a reaction that involves water and crustal rocks, and which occurred on early Mars as indicated by observations of surface mineralogy). 2. We are working to understand how mineral assemblages can serve as a lasting record of prior environmental conditions, and therefore as indicators of prior habitability. This component directly supports the interpretation of mineralogy data obtained by the CheMin instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory.

4 Institutions
3 Teams
40 Publications
1 Field Site
Field Sites

Project Progress

This year’s efforts focused dominantly on an intensive characterization of the newly established borehole observatories at McLaughlin Natural Reserve (Fig. 1). Our program consists of an integrative suite of measurements that can be broadly categorized as follows:

Figure 1. Wellheads of the new borehole observatories sunk at McLaughlin provide a unique window into the serpentinizing subsurface.

Geology and Mineralogy: We performed an intensive mineralogical characterization of newly cored solids from the well-drilling operation, specifically using a commercial analog of the MSL mineralogy instrument CheMin. This specifically supports MSL by identifying mineral assemblages characteristic of active serpentinization, and tying them to the observed geochemistry. An important focus of this work was to quantify the abundance of magnetite as a proxy measure for total production of the microbial substrate H2 during serpentinization.

Geochemistry: We completed a year-long program of seasonal monitoring of newly drilled wells that charted the recovery of subsurface environmental conditions from the effects of drilling, and so we examined their changing chemistry (Fig. 2). Analyses focused on (i) abundance measurements of potential metabolites and other chemical species necessary to construct thermodynamic and bioenergetic models for metabolism; (ii) isotopic measurements designed to constrain potential sources of observed CH4; (iii) process rate measurements to seek evidence for microbial consumption of H2 and CO against a backdrop of varying pH levels. The latter formed the basis for an undergraduate research project for UC Berkeley student Addien Wray, who presented his results at AbSciCon 2012.

Figure 2. Freshly retrieved core materials during drilling operations at McLaughlin had pH values as high as 11.7. Following “recovery” of the newly drilled wells, fluids ultimately attained pH values up to 12.5, consistent with highly active serpentinization.

Microbial Community Analysis: We leveraged support from the Sloan Foundation “Census of Deep Life” and the Joint Genome Institute Community Sequencing Program in order to conduct tag-based deep sequencing analyses of microbial community composition in water and core materials from freshly drilled boreholes. These analyses will provide the basis for inter-comparison of community composition across McLaughlin samples (against a backdrop of changing pH and chemistry) and also for comparisons with other serpentinizing systems worldwide. Results thus far indicate a low diversity serpentinite biosphere consisting largely of Betaproteobacteria and Clostridiales. We have also obtained, using Sloan/CDL funding, the first of several metagenomes for samples from McLaughlin, in this case from near-surface samples at the newly drilled Core Shed Well borehole. Annotation of the sequences has just commenced, and early findings reveal areas of marked similarity in metagenome content to other serpentinizing sites, such as the Tablelands ophiolite in Newfoundland.

Outreach: We visited several classrooms during the year in order to explain how Earth-based research projects such as this one are important for informing our efforts to explore Mars (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Postdoctoral associate Sanjoy Som talks to a class of elementary school students about Mars.

Publications

  • Blake, D., Vaniman, D., Achilles, C., Anderson, R., Bish, D., Bristow, T., … Yen, A. (2012). Characterization and Calibration of the CheMin Mineralogical Instrument on Mars Science Laboratory. Space Sci Rev, 170(1-4), 341–399. doi:10.1007/s11214-012-9905-1

  • Burow, L. C., Woebken, D., Bebout, B. M., McMurdie, P. J., Singer, S. W., Pett-Ridge, J., … Hoehler, T. M. (2011). Hydrogen production in photosynthetic microbial mats in the Elkhorn Slough estuary, Monterey Bay. ISME J, 6(4), 863–874. doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.142

  • Woebken, D., Burow, L. C., Prufert-Bebout, L., Bebout, B. M., Hoehler, T. M., Pett-Ridge, J., … Singer, S. W. (2012). Identification of a novel cyanobacterial group as active diazotrophs in a coastal microbial mat using NanoSIMS analysis. ISME J, 6(7), 1427–1439. doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.200

  • Alperin, M.J. & Hoehler, T.M.  (2012).  Modeling microbial life under extreme energy limitation. Abstracts of the Second International Workshop on Microbial Life Under Extreme Energy Limitation.
  • Alperin, M.J., Hoehler, T.M. & Lloyd, K.G.  (2012).  On the reversibility of methane production from CO2 and H2: Revisited. Abstracts of the Second International Workshop on Microbial Life Under Extreme Energy Limitation.
  • Bishop, J.L., Loizeau, D., McKeown, N.K., Saper, L., Darby Dyar, M., Des Marais, D., Parente, M. & Murchie, S.L.  (2012).  Early Martian habitability and phyllosilicates at Mawrth Vallis. Third Conference on Early Mars, #7014, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX.
  • Brazelton, W., Nelson, B., Szponar, N., Morrill, P.O. & Schrenk, M.O.  (2012).  Metagenomic evidence for subsurface microbial activity fueled by serpentinization [talk] Astrobiology Science Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, (16-20 April 2012).
  • Brazelton, W.J. & Schrenk, M.O.  (2012).  Metagenome-enabled investigations of carbon and hydrogen fluxes within the serpentinite-hosted subsurface biosphere. JGI User Meeting [2012].
  • Brazelton, W.J., Nelson, B. & Schrenk, M.O.  (2011).  Investigating the Potential for Subsurface Primary Production Fueled by Serpentinization. [invited talk] Abstract B44B-02, presented at 2011 Fall AGU Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 5-9 Dec.
  • Brazelton, W.J., Twing, K.I. & Schrenk, M.O.  (2012).  Microbial Biogeography of serpentinization-hosted ecosystems [poster]. Gordon Research Conference on Marine Microbial Genomics, Lucca, Italy (June 2012).
  • Cardace, D. & Meyer-Dombard, D.R.  (2011).  Bioenergetics of Continental Serpentinites. Abstract B51B-0400. Presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec.
  • Cardace, D., Carnevale, D., Hoehler, T., McCollom, T. & Schrenk, M.  (2012).  Active Serpentinization in the Coast Range Ophiolite: Intersections of Petrography, Geochemistry, and Bioenergetics. Abstract #4491. Presented at the Astrobiology Science Conference, Atlanta, GA, 16-20 April.
  • Carnevale, D., Cardace, D., McCann, A. & Hoehler, T.M.  (2011).  Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Coast Range Ophiolite, CA Rock Cores Keys to Understanding Subsurface Serpentinite Habitability on Mars. Abstract B51B-0401. Presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec.
  • Chowdhury, S., Brazelton, W. & Schrenk, M.  (2012).  Metabolic Capabilities of Microbial Communities in the Serpentinite Subsurface Biosphere. [poster] Astrobiology Science Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, (16-20 April 2012).
  • Hoehler, T.M. & Pohorille, A.  (2011).  The importance of water for high fidelity information processing and for life. [Invited] EOS Trans. AGU, 92(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., P24B-02.
  • Hoehler, T.M.  (2011).  Energetic constraints on subsurface life: A case study of methanogenesis in serpentinizing systems. [Invited] Abstracts of the 2011 International Society for Subsurface Microbiology Meeting.
  • Hoehler, T.M., Alperin, M.J. & McCollom, T.M.  (2012).  Energy and habitability: A case study of methanogenesis in serpentinizing systems. [Invited] Abstracts of the 2012 Astrobiology Science Conference.
  • Hoehler, T.M., McCollom, T., Schrenk, M.O., Kubo, M. & Cardace, D.  (2011).  One-carbon (bio?) geochemistry in subsurface waters of the serpentinizing Coast Range Ophiolite (Invited), Abstract B22A-04 presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec., EOS Trans. AGU, 92(53).
  • Jahnke, L., Parenteau, N. & Farmer, J.  (2012).  Microbial lipid and C isotopic biosignatures of a unique community at Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park. Poster presentation at American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, June 2012, San Francisco, CA.
  • Jahnke, L.L., Parenteau, M.N. & Farmer, J.  (2012).  Microbial lipid and C-isotopic biosignatures of a unique community at Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Abstracts 112th General Meeting ASM, San Francisco CA.
  • Kyle, J.E., Jahnke, L.L. & Stedman, K.M.  (2012).  Changes in virus infectivity and virus and host lipids under silicifying conditions: Implications for virus biosignatures, Astrobiology Science Conference Exploring Life: Past and Present, Near and Far, No. 2117, Atlanta, GA.
  • Kyle, J.E., Jahnke, L.L. & Stedman, K.M.  (2012).  Preservation potential of lipid-containing viruses under silicifying conditions, 43rd Lunar Planetary Science Conference, LPI Contribution No. 1659, The Woodlands, Texas.
  • Kyle, J.E., Stedman, K.M. & Jahnke, L.L.  (2012).  Lipid profile of a saline, alkaline lake (with a viral twist?), Astrobiology Science Conference, Exploring Life: Past and Present, Near and Far, No. 1475. Atlanta, GA.
  • McCann, A.R., Cardace, D. & Carnevale, D.  (2011).  Technology-Enhanced Science: Using an Online Blog to Share a Collaborative Field Study for Research and Education. Abstract ED13A-0808. Presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec.
  • McCann, A.R., Cardace, D., Carnevale, D. & Ehlmann, B.L.  (2011).  Mineralogy of Surface Serpentinite Outcrops in the Coast Range Ophiolite: Implications for the Deep Biosphere and Astrobiology. Abstract B51B-0402. Presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 5-9 Dec.
  • Mills, V., Farmer, J.D., Ruff, S., Núñez, J.I. & Jahnke, L.L.  (2011).  Systematic variations in sinter mineralogy, microtexture and diagenesis in modern siliceous hot springs: Clues for interpreting depositional conditions in ancient deposits. Abstracts Fall Meeting American Geophysical Union, San Francisco CA.
  • Nelson, B., Chowdhury, S., Brazelton, W. & Schrenk, M.  (2011).  Metabolic and Physiological Characteristics of Novel Cultivars from Serpentinite Seep Fluids. [poster] Abstract B51K-0562 presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 5-9 Dec.
  • Parenteau, N., Jahnke, L. & Bosak, T.  (2012).  Linking microbial ecosystem biosignatures to the geologic record of early Earth and Mars. Astrobiology Science Conference, April 2012, Atlanta, GA.
  • Parenteau, N., Jahnke, L., Cady, S. & Pierson, B.  (2011).  Anoxygenic growth of cyanobacteria on Fe(II) and their associated biosignatures: Implications for biotic contributions to Precambrian Iron Formations. Oral presentation at AGU Fall Meeting, December 2011, San Francisco, CA.
  • Parenteau, N., Jahnke, L., Cady, S. & Pierson, B.  (2012).  Anoxygenic growth of cyanobacteria on Fe(II) and their associated biosignatures: Implications for biotic contributions to Precambrian Iron Formations. Oral presentation at NASA Ames Biology Seminar Series, September 2012, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA.
  • Rugheimer, S. & Som, S.  (2012).  Exoplanet and organics in Space. Presentation at the 2012 Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon), August 27 – 30 2012, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Schrenk, M.O., Brazelton, W.J. & Lang, S.Q.  (2012).  Serpentinization, Carbon, and Deep Life [poster]. Astrobiology Science Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, (16-20 April 2012).
  • Schrenk, M.O., Nelson, B.Y. & Brazelton, W.J.  (2011).  The Serpentinite Subsurface Microbiome. [invited talk] Abstract B22A-05 presented at 2011 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, CA, 5-9 Dec.
  • Som, S.  (2012).  A cell as a toaster. Presentation and poster and the 2012 Nordic-Hawaii Summer School, July 1 – 15, 2012, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • Som, S., Alperin, M. & Hoehler, T.  (2012).  Numerical quantification of habitability in serpentinizing systems. Abstract and poster presented at the 2012 Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon), April 16-20 2012, Atlanta, GA.
  • Som, S., Alperin, M. & Hoehler, T.  (2012).  Numerical quantification of habitability in serpentinizing systems. Poster presented at the 2012 Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon), August 27-30 2012, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Team, E.S.  (2012).  Europa Study 2012 Report: Europa Lander Mission.  Europa.
  • Twing, K.I., Brazelton, W., Quinn, E., Kloysuntia, A. & Schrenk, M.  (2012).  Linking Identity and Function in Serpentinite-Hosted Microbial Communities. [poster] Astrobiology Science Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, (16-20 April 2012).
  • Twing, K.I., Brazelton, W.J. & Schrenk, M.O.  (2012).  Biogeography of functional genes in serpentinization-driven ecosystems [poster]. Gordon Research Conference on Marine Microbial Genomics, Lucca, Italy (June 2012).
  • Wray, A.C., Bolser, D., Kubo, M. & Hoehler, T.  (2012).  Carbon Monoxide and its Role in Subsurface Anaerobic Microbial Metabolism, Poster presented at Astrobiology Science Conference 2012, Atlanta, Georgia, April 16-20.