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Morphological Biosignatures and the Search for Life on Mars

Cady, Sherry L. and Farmer, Jack D. and Grotzinger, John P. and Schopf, J. William and Steele, Andrew (2003) Morphological Biosignatures and the Search for Life on Mars. Astrobiology, 3 (2). pp. 351-368. ISSN 1531-1074. doi:10.1089/153110703769016442. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130226-133731115

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Abstract

This report provides a rationale for the advances in instrumentation and understanding needed to assess claims of ancient and extraterrestrial life made on the basis of morphological biosignatures. Morphological biosignatures consist of bona fide microbial fossils as well as microbially influenced sedimentary structures. To be recognized as evidence of life, microbial fossils must contain chemical and structural attributes uniquely indicative of microbial cells or cellular or extracellular processes. When combined with various research strategies, high-resolution instruments can reveal such attributes and elucidate how morphological fossils form and become altered, thereby improving the ability to recognize them in the geological record on Earth or other planets. Also, before fossilized microbially influenced sedimentary structures can provide evidence of life, criteria to distinguish their biogenic from non-biogenic attributes must be established. This topic can be advanced by developing process-based models. A database of images and spectroscopic data that distinguish the suite of bona fide morphological biosignatures from their abiotic mimics will avoid detection of false-positives for life. The use of high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic instruments, in conjunction with an improved knowledge base of the attributes that demonstrate life, will maximize our ability to recognize and assess the biogenicity of extraterrestrial and ancient terrestrial life.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/153110703769016442DOIArticle
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/153110703769016442PublisherArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Grotzinger, John P.0000-0001-9324-1257
Additional Information:© 2003 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Published in Volume: 3 Issue 2: July 5, 2004 S.L.C. acknowledges NASA Grant NAG 5-9579 and NSF Grant EAR-0096354. J.W.S. acknowledges NASA Grant NAG 5-12357.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASANAG 5-9579
NSFEAR-0096354
NASANAG 5-12357
Subject Keywords:biosignatures; morphological fossils; microfossils; stromatolites; extraterrestrial life; biogenicity; paleobiology
Issue or Number:2
DOI:10.1089/153110703769016442
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20130226-133731115
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130226-133731115
Official Citation:Sherry L. Cady, Jack D. Farmer, John P. Grotzinger, J. William Schopf, and Andrew Steele. Astrobiology. June 2003, 3(2): 351-368. doi:10.1089/153110703769016442.
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:37150
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:26 Feb 2013 23:11
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:27

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