Astrobiology Workshop, Macquarie University July 12-13 2001

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Astrobiological Interest of Iron Chemolithotrophy

R.Amils (1,2), F. Gómez (2), N. Rodriguez (2), D. Fernández-Remolar (2), E. González-Toril (1).

(1) Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain

(2) Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid 28050, Spain

From the geomicrobiological characterization of the Tinto River (Spain, Iberian Pyritic Belt), a 90 km acidic river (mean pH of 2.3 with high concentration of heavy metals) holding a high level of prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity, an earth extreme habitat under the control of iron is emerging. Iron, in addition of its important structural role in all cell systems, can be used as energy source, electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration, can maintain a constant pH, and also give UV radiation protection to microorganisms, properties of astrobiological interest. A model system of this habitat considering most of the physical, chemical, geomicrobiological variables measured so far will be presented and its astrobiological interested discussed.