Bacterial mineralization patterns in basaltic aquifers: Implications for possible life in martian meteorite ALH84001

Research Article| November 01, 1998 Bacterial mineralization patterns in basaltic aquifers: Implications for possible life in martian meteorite ALH84001 Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta; Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David S. McKay; David S. McKay 2NASA Johnson Space Center, SN, Houston, Texas 77058 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Susan J. Wentworth; Susan J. Wentworth 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Todd O. Stevens; Todd O. Stevens 3Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Anne E. Taunton; Anne E. Taunton 4University of Wisconsin, Department of Geology, Weeks Hall, 1215 Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carlton C. Allen; Carlton C. Allen 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Annette Coleman; Annette Coleman 5Biomedical Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Everett K. Gibson, Jr; Everett K. Gibson, Jr 2NASA Johnson Space Center, SN, Houston, Texas 77058 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christopher S. Romanek Christopher S. Romanek 6Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 David S. McKay 2NASA Johnson Space Center, SN, Houston, Texas 77058 Susan J. Wentworth 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 Todd O. Stevens 3Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352 Anne E. Taunton 4University of Wisconsin, Department of Geology, Weeks Hall, 1215 Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Carlton C. Allen 1Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, Texas 77058 Annette Coleman 5Biomedical Department, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 Everett K. Gibson, Jr 2NASA Johnson Space Center, SN, Houston, Texas 77058 Christopher S. Romanek 6Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1998) 26 (11): 1031–1034. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<1031:BMPIBA>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta, David S. McKay, Susan J. Wentworth, Todd O. Stevens, Anne E. Taunton, Carlton C. Allen, Annette Coleman, Everett K. Gibson, Christopher S. Romanek; Bacterial mineralization patterns in basaltic aquifers: Implications for possible life in martian meteorite ALH84001. Geology 1998;; 26 (11): 1031–1034. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<1031:BMPIBA>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract To explore the formation and preservation of biogenic features in igneous rocks, we have examined the organisms in experimental basaltic microcosms using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Four types of microorganisms were recognized on the basis of size, morphology, and chemical composition. Some of the organisms mineralized rapidly, whereas others show no evidence of mineralization. Many mineralized cells are hollow and do not contain evidence of microstructure. Filaments, either attached or no longer attached to organisms, are common. Unattached filaments are mineralized and are most likely bacterial appendages (e.g., prosthecae). Features similar in size and morphology to unattached, mineralized filaments are recognized in martian meteorite ALH84001. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.