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Microbial metabolism and dynamic changes in the electrical conductivity of soil solutions - A method for detecting extraterrestrial lifeExperiments are reported which show that measuring metabolic activity in soil solutions by means of dynamic changes in electrical conductivity, water-soluble Ca, or water-soluble Mg is a feasible life detection method. The addition of 0.5% glucose solutions to 12 different air-dried soils always resulted in increases in all three of these parameters. The kinetics and magnitude of these changes for at least two and usually all three of the parameters over a 14-day period were clearly distinguishable from the changes in heat-sterilized controls or unsterilized controls without added glucose. In general, maximal values were achieved more rapidly under aerobic than under anaerobic incubation.
Document ID
19750039766
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Silverman, M. P.
Munoz, E. F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Planetary Biology Div., Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Applied Microbiology
Volume: 28
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
75A23838
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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