Localization of C Cycle Enzymes in Arable and Forest Phaeozems within Levels of Soil Microstructure.

Soil microbial and enzyme activities are closely related to the spatial variability of soil environmental conditions at the microscale (μm-mm). The origin and localization of the enzymes are somewhat neglected when the measured activity is used to evaluate specific soil functions. The activity of four hydrolytic enzymes (-glucosidase, Cellobiohydrolase, Chitinase, Xylanase) and microbial diversity based on community-level physiological profiling were determined in samples of arable and native Phaeozems with increasing physical impact to soil solids.

Exobiology of the Venusian Clouds: New Insights into Habitability through Terrestrial Models and Methods of Detection.

The search for life beyond Earth has focused on Mars and the icy moons Europa and Enceladus, all of which are considered a safe haven for life due to evidence of current or past water. The surface of Venus, on the other hand, has extreme conditions that make it a nonhabitable environment to life as we know it. This is in contrast, however, to its cloud layer, which, while still an extreme environment, may prove to be a safe haven for some extreme forms of life similar to extremophiles on Earth.

Effects of Radiation Intensity, Mineral Matrix, and Pre-Irradiation on the Bacterial Resistance to Gamma Irradiation under Low Temperature Conditions.

Ionizing radiation is one of the main factors limiting the survival of microorganisms in extraterrestrial conditions. The survivability of microorganisms under irradiation depends significantly on the conditions, in which the irradiation occurs. In particular, temperature, pressure, oxygen and water concentrations are of great influence.

Soil bacterial communities of Sahara and Gibson deserts: Physiological and taxonomical characteristics.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the structure of soil bacteria communities present in the Gibson (Australia) and the Sahara (Egypt) deserts, as well as to estimate strain survivability under different environmental factors. It should be noticed that the screening of bacterial resistance to wide spectra of principally different stress conditions was performed for the first time. Experiments were conducted with culturable bacterial communities.

Microbial activity in Martian analog soils after ionizing radiation: implications for the preservation of subsurface life on Mars.

At present, the surface of Mars is affected by a set of factors that can prevent the survival of Earth-like life. However, the modern concept of the evolution of the planet assumes the existence more favorable for life climate in the past. If in the past on Mars had formed a biosphere, similar to the one that originated in the early Earth, it is supposed that it is preserved till now in anabiotic state in the bowels of the planet, like microbial communities inhabiting the ancient permafrost of Arctic and Antarctic.

100 kGy gamma-affected microbial communities within the ancient Arctic permafrost under simulated Martian conditions.

This research aimed to investigate the viability and biodiversity of microbial communities within ancient Arctic permafrost after exposure to a gamma-radiation dose of 100 kGy at low temperature (- 50 °C), low pressure (1 Torr) and dehydration conditions. The main objective was to assess the possibility for long-term survival of Earth-bound microorganisms in the subsurface of Martian regolith or inside small space bodies at constant absorption and accumulation of the gamma radiation dose. Investigated microbial communities had shown high resistance to a simulated Martian environment.