Nat Commun February 2023 PMID 36810853

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits.

Armando Azua-Bustos, Alberto G Fairén, Carlos González-Silva, Olga Prieto-Ballesteros, Daniel Carrizo, Laura Sánchez-García, Victor Parro, Miguel Ángel Fernández-Martínez, Cristina Escudero, Victoria Muñoz-Iglesias, Maite Fernández-Sampedro, Antonio Molina, Miriam García Villadangos, Mercedes Moreno-Paz, Jacek Wierzchos

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Several discussions highlight the study's mention of the 'dark microbiome' and its implications for detecting life on Mars, with phrases like 'can we detect it?' indicating a probing curiosity. The tone is generally supportive and somewhat urgent, as participants quote important points about sample returns and the complexity of identifying biosignatures, suggesting a collective recognition of the research's significance.

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Users perceive the research as impactful, especially regarding its implications for detecting life on Mars and the challenges that lie ahead.

Abstract in brief

Identifying signs of life on Mars is a key goal for missions, and this research examines the Red Stone site in the Atacama Desert, which has geological features similar to Martian landscapes.
The study reveals the presence of numerous microorganisms with high phylogenetic indeterminacy, termed the "dark microbiome," alongside biosignatures from both current and ancient life forms that are difficult to detect with advanced lab equipment.
Findings indicate that while the mineral makeup of Red Stone is comparable to that of Mars, detecting similar low levels of organic materials on Mars may prove challenging, highlighting the need to return samples to Earth for definitive evidence of past life.

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Mars Life Detection Challenges in Atacama Desert Microbiome Study

This video explores the challenges of identifying signs of life on Mars, focusing on the Atacama Desert's Red Stone site. The study uncovers a 'dark microbiome' with microorganisms and biosignatures that can complicate…

STEM RTCL TV · Jun 15, 2023 12 views

Astrobiology

@astrobiology · X

RT @ELSI_origins: [ELSI paper] 'Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits' on Na…

Aug 25, 2023 · 3 shares · 35,731 followers View post →

Selly セレネ

@Selly_mcc · X

RT @ELSI_origins: [ELSI paper] 'Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits' on Na…

Aug 25, 2023 · 3 shares · 97 followers View post →

Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) 地球生命研究所

@ELSI_origins · X

[ELSI paper] 'Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits' on Nature Communications. https://t.co/9Jnyj31QUC

Aug 25, 2023 · 13 likes · 3 shares · 3,328 followers View post →

Ricardo B�nffy -

@0xDEADBEEFCAFE · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits - PMC https://t.co/8L3cGHYqvb

Aug 8, 2023 · 1,472 followers View post →

ADS citation bot

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@itsMariaSG Your paper "Detection of Potential Lipid Biomarkers in (...)" was cited by Azua-Bustos, Armando et al.: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/Hk1JRQ3F7I

Apr 6, 2023 · 49 followers View post →

Space Initiatives

@AsteroidEnergy · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits (and make an argument for sample return) https://t.co/LjcXdEgv5W

Mar 6, 2023 · 20,913 followers View post →

Mikko Tuomi

@mustapipa · X

RT @mustapipa: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits. https://t.co/YESAs2ya9g

Mar 5, 2023 · 2 shares · 12,615 followers View post →

Gareth (Gary) Trubl

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RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Mar 3, 2023 · 9 shares · 1,704 followers View post →

Astrobiology

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RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Mar 3, 2023 · 9 shares · 35,731 followers View post →

ianfmusgrave

@ianfmusgrave · X

RT @cosmos4u: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in #Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars #life detection limits: https://t.co/bpwyNDI…

Mar 1, 2023 · 2,701 followers View post →

Daniel Fischer @cosmos4u@scicomm.xyz

@cosmos4u · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in #Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars #life detection limits: https://t.co/bpwyNDIIe8 -> Life on Mars, can we detect it? https://t.co/bWTvzD34S3

Mar 1, 2023 · 1 like · 13,947 followers View post →

Dragos G. Zaharescu, Ph.D.

@therebeDragos · X

RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Mar 1, 2023 · 9 shares · 559 followers View post →

rblumel

@rblumel · X

RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Feb 28, 2023 · 9 shares · 908 followers View post →

tucmo

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RT @mustapipa: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits. https://t.co/YESAs2ya9g

Feb 28, 2023 · 2 shares · 907 followers View post →

Mikko Tuomi

@mustapipa · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits. https://t.co/YESAs2ya9g

Feb 28, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 12,615 followers View post →

DMS

@DallasMars · X

RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Feb 28, 2023 · 9 shares · 760 followers View post →

lmmortal Seti

@angelseti · X

RT @astrobiology: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhG…

Feb 28, 2023 · 9 shares · 1,695 followers View post →

Astrobiology

@astrobiology · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/GmikrhGpp2 #Astrobiology

Feb 28, 2023 · 16 likes · 9 shares · 35,731 followers View post →

CYANOFUR María F. Fillat lab

@cyanofur · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/fZ2WrB0B6n

Feb 26, 2023 · 3 likes · 701 followers View post →

papersformax

@papers_for_max · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/sxj6YpvQWS https://t.co/99OG9BPWsO

Feb 24, 2023 · 28 followers View post →

Nilgun

@nillie · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 24, 2023 · 12 shares · 1,036 followers View post →

Patrick Chase

@SonofMars814 · X

RT @AstrobioSoc: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars life detection limits #astrobiology https…

Feb 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 412 followers View post →

Derick Norton

@oldtoonloon · X

RT @AstrobioSoc: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars life detection limits #astrobiology https…

Feb 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 4,723 followers View post →

HIGURASHI

@D_LAKRUIS · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 23, 2023 · 12 shares · 373 followers View post →

Terry McGenity

@TMcgenity · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

Feb 23, 2023 · 6 shares · 653 followers View post →

The Search For Life on Mars

@search_mars · X

RT @AstrobioSoc: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars life detection limits #astrobiology https…

Feb 23, 2023 · 5 shares · 3,031 followers View post →

Jags Pandhal

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RT @AstrobioSoc: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars life detection limits #astrobiology https…

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Guillermo Fierro

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 23, 2023 · 12 shares · 1,402 followers View post →

david doll

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

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Александр Попов

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 23, 2023 · 12 shares · 1,432 followers View post →

Alfons López Tena

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

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Bashanta Gautam.

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 23, 2023 · 12 shares · 240 followers View post →

Astrobiology Society of Britain

@AstrobioSoc · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars life detection limits #astrobiology https://t.co/qn57kQxU1F

Feb 23, 2023 · 14 likes · 5 shares · 3,456 followers View post →

lvgl

@Loicus_ · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

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Crazy Fag From Lazy Town :)

@flextaperapper · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

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Sid Chopra

@skchopra007 · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

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shanthi

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 22, 2023 · 12 shares · 91 followers View post →

micropapers

@micro_papers · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/CPItrvMxVw

Feb 22, 2023 · 332 followers View post →

Smile Empty Soul

@sinkmaud · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

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Char

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RT @alfonslopeztena: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits — Microorganisms…

Feb 22, 2023 · 12 shares · 660 followers View post →

Alfons López Tena

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ZhangYongyong

@ZhangYongyong3 · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

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Chris Stringer

@ChrisStringer65 · X

RT @ChrisStringer65: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/FZVf…

Feb 22, 2023 · 1 share · 29,580 followers View post →

Miaoxiao Wang (Roy)

@MiaoxiaoR · X

RT @hlcao: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications htt…

Feb 22, 2023 · 2 shares · 640 followers View post →

s.e. macdonald

@tinylifeform · X

RT @ProfAbelMendez: More evidendence that life could be hard to detect even in some places on Earth: Dark microbiome and extremely low orga…

Feb 22, 2023 · 1 share · 853 followers View post →

Prof. Abel Méndez

@ProfAbelMendez · X

More evidendence that life could be hard to detect even in some places on Earth: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits - Nature Communications https://t.co/Vw4yXnHSxZ

Feb 22, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 20,695 followers View post →

Subhajeet Dutta

@Subhaje27888236 · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

Feb 22, 2023 · 6 shares · 59 followers View post →

Geoffroy Mallaret

@MallaretG · X

RT @jcamthrash: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PA…

Feb 22, 2023 · 6 shares · 625 followers View post →

Katie Gold, PhD

@kaitlinmgold · X

RT @NatureMicrobiol: Out now in @NatureComms: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detectio…

Feb 22, 2023 · 7 shares · 6,166 followers View post →

Cameron Thrash

@jcamthrash · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/zeQvm6PAHx

Feb 22, 2023 · 31 likes · 6 shares · 17,432 followers View post →

Diana Duque

@DC_DuCas · X

RT @NatureMicrobiol: Out now in @NatureComms: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detectio…

Feb 22, 2023 · 7 shares · 86 followers View post →

Neha Mehta

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RT @NatureMicrobiol: Out now in @NatureComms: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detectio…

Feb 22, 2023 · 7 shares · 369 followers View post →

Sebastian Krause, Ph.D.

@biogeodude · X

RT @NatureMicrobiol: Out now in @NatureComms: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detectio…

Feb 22, 2023 · 7 shares · 79 followers View post →

Nature Microbiology

@NatureMicrobiol · X

Feb 22, 2023 · 22 likes · 7 shares · 74,104 followers View post →

Saubashya Sur, PhD

@SaubashyaSur · X

RT @hlcao: Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications htt…

Feb 22, 2023 · 2 shares · 768 followers View post →

Chris Stringer

@ChrisStringer65 · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/FZVf7SYpfV

Feb 22, 2023 · 5 likes · 1 share · 29,580 followers View post →

Huiluo Cao 曹慧荦

@hlcao · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/lMWBwt8Vz3

Feb 22, 2023 · 8 likes · 2 shares · 2,827 followers View post →

Ｎ村

@enumura · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits https://t.co/TTcZaFzIe1

Feb 22, 2023 · 837 followers View post →

Corby Zone

@MissionArtist · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/cVLtTVMe5M

Feb 21, 2023 · 1 like · 16,501 followers View post →

Tominaga K. (tomiken)

@pacyc1841 · X

» Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/Uxzd8smEOE

Feb 21, 2023 · 3 likes · 855 followers View post →

Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci

@OrdoFibonacci · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/01UMH74JgX

Feb 21, 2023 · 2,568 followers View post →

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Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/SKiS9vifzG

Feb 21, 2023 · 566 followers View post →

rblumel

@rblumel · X

#SolarSystemExploration Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil #Mars #life #detection #limits. https://t.co/V0Kx75Yae6

Feb 21, 2023 · 908 followers View post →

Lyngvie

@Lyngvie1 · X

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits | Nature Communications https://t.co/Efnm0l3wCy

Feb 21, 2023 · 10,997 followers View post →

Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits.

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Mars Life Detection Challenges in Atacama Desert Microbiome Study