Enhanced Microbial Survivability in Subzero Brines

dc.contributor.authorHeinz, Jacob
dc.contributor.authorSchirmack, Janosch
dc.contributor.authorAiro, Alessandro
dc.contributor.authorKounaves, Samuel P.
dc.contributor.authorSchulze-Makuch, Dirk
dc.date.accessioned2019-08-27T11:28:22Z
dc.date.available2019-08-27T11:28:22Z
dc.date.issued2018-04-17
dc.description.abstractIt is well known that dissolved salts can significantly lower the freezing point of water and thus extend habitability to subzero conditions. However, most investigations thus far have focused on sodium chloride as a solute. In this study, we report on the survivability of the bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus in sodium, magnesium, and calcium chloride or perchlorate solutions at temperatures ranging from +25°C to −30°C. In addition, we determined the survival rates of P. halocryophilus when subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles. We found that cells suspended in chloride-containing samples have markedly increased survival rates compared with those in perchlorate-containing samples. In both cases, the survival rates increase with lower temperatures; however, this effect is more pronounced in chloride-containing samples. Furthermore, we found that higher salt concentrations increase survival rates when cells are subjected to freeze/thaw cycles. Our findings have important implications not only for the habitability of cold environments on Earth but also for extraterrestrial environments such as that of Mars, where cold brines might exist in the subsurface and perhaps even appear temporarily at the surface such as at recurring slope lineae.It is well known that dissolved salts can significantly lower the freezing point of water and thus extend habitability to subzero conditions. However, most investigations thus far have focused on sodium chloride as a solute. In this study, we report on the survivability of the bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus in sodium, magnesium, and calcium chloride or perchlorate solutions at temperatures ranging from +25°C to −30°C. In addition, we determined the survival rates of P. halocryophilus when subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles. We found that cells suspended in chloride-containing samples have markedly increased survival rates compared with those in perchlorate-containing samples. In both cases, the survival rates increase with lower temperatures; however, this effect is more pronounced in chloride-containing samples. Furthermore, we found that higher salt concentrations increase survival rates when cells are subjected to freeze/thaw cycles. Our findings have important implications not only for the habitability of cold environments on Earth but also for extraterrestrial environments such as that of Mars, where cold brines might exist in the subsurface and perhaps even appear temporarily at the surface such as at recurring slope lineae.en
dc.description.sponsorshipEC/FP7/339231/EU/Habitability of Martian Environments: Exploring the Physiological and Environmental Limits of Life/HOMEen
dc.identifier.eissn1557-8070
dc.identifier.issn1531-1074
dc.identifier.urihttps://depositonce.tu-berlin.de/handle/11303/9897
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-8909
dc.language.isoenen
dc.relation.ispartof10.14279/depositonce-8847
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en
dc.subject.ddc520 Astronomie und zugeordnete Wissenschaftende
dc.subject.ddc570 Biowissenschaften; Biologiede
dc.subject.otherhalocryophilusen
dc.subject.othersubzeroen
dc.subject.otheralophileen
dc.subject.otherplanococcus halocryophilusen
dc.subject.otherbrinesen
dc.subject.otherperchlorateen
dc.titleEnhanced Microbial Survivability in Subzero Brinesen
dc.typeArticleen
dc.type.versionpublishedVersionen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.doi10.1089/ast.2017.1805en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.issue9en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitleAstrobiologyen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublishernameMary Ann Lieberten
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublisherplaceNew Yorken
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.pageend1180en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.pagestart1171en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume18en
tub.accessrights.dnbfreeen
tub.affiliationFak. 2 Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften::Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysikde
tub.affiliation.facultyFak. 2 Mathematik und Naturwissenschaftende
tub.affiliation.instituteZentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysikde
tub.publisher.universityorinstitutionTechnische Universität Berlinen

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