Measurement of 14CO2 Assimilation in Soils: an Experiment for the Biological Exploration of Mars
Year: 1970
Type: article
Abstract: A method is described for the measurement of 14CO2 assimilation by microorganisms in soils. A determination involves exposing soil to 14CO2, pyrolyzing the exposed soil, trapping the organic pyrolysis products on a column of firebrick coated with CuO, combusting the trapped organics by heating, and measuring the radioactivity in the CO2 produced in the combustion. The detection of significant levels of 14C in the trapped organic fraction appears to be an unambiguous indication of biological activity. The 14CO2 which is adsorbed or exchanged into soils by nonbiological processes does not interfere. The method easily detects the 14CO2 fixed by 102 to 103 algae after light exposure for 3 to 24 hr. Assimilation of 14C is also demonstrable in dark-exposed soils containing 105 to 106 heterotrophic bacteria. Possible applications of the method in the biological exploration of Mars are discussed.
Source: Applied Microbiology
Authors: Jerry S. Hubbard, George L. Hobby, Norman H. Horowitz, Paul J. Geiger, Frank A. Morelli
Institutions: California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Climate action, Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4241820896