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Reduced Gas Cycling in Microbial Mats: Implications for Early EarthFor more than half the history of life on Earth, biological productivity was dominated by photosynthetic microbial mats. During this time, mats served as the preeminent biological influence on earth's surface and atmospheric chemistry and also as the primary crucible for microbial evolution. We find that modern analogs of these ancient mat communities generate substantial quantities of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. Escape of these gases from the biosphere would contribute strongly to atmospheric evolution and potentially to the net oxidation of earth's surface; sequestration within the biosphere carries equally important implications for the structure, function, and evolution of anaerobic microbial communities within the context of mat biology.
Document ID
20010083360
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Hoehler, Tori M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Bebout, Brad M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DesMarais, David J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald L.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
October 5, 2000
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-38-32-03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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