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Raman spectroscopic analysis of the calcium oxalate producing extremotolerant lichen Circinaria gyrosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2013

U. Böttger ,
J. Meessen ,
J. Martinez-Frias ,
H.-W. Hübers ,
F. Rull ,
F. J. Sánchez ,
R. de la Torre  and
J.-P. de Vera
U. Böttger*
Affiliation:
German Aerospace Center DLR e.V, Institute of Planetary Research, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
J. Meessen
Affiliation:
Institut für Botanik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Universitätsstr.1, 40225-Düsseldorf, Germany
J. Martinez-Frias
Affiliation:
Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, 28850-Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
H.-W. Hübers
Affiliation:
German Aerospace Center DLR e.V, Institute of Planetary Research, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany
F. Rull
Affiliation:
Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, 28850-Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
F. J. Sánchez
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, 28850-Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
R. de la Torre
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Ctra. de Ajalvir km. 4, 28850-Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
J.-P. de Vera
Affiliation:
German Aerospace Center DLR e.V, Institute of Planetary Research, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
*
e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

In the context of astrobiological exposure and simulation experiments in the BIOMEX project, the lichen Circinaria gyrosa was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. Owing to the symbiotic nature of lichens and their remarkable extremotolerance, C. gyrosa represents a valid model organism in recent and current astrobiological research. Biogenic compounds of C. gyrosa were studied that may serve as biomarkers in Raman assisted remote sensing missions, e.g. ExoMars. The surface as well as different internal layers of C. gyrosa have been characterized and data on the detectability and distribution of β-carotene, chitin and calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) are presented in this study. Raman microspectroscopy was applied on natural samples and thin sections. Although calcium oxalates can also be formed by rare geological processes it may serve as a suitable biomarker for astrobiological investigations. In the model organism C. gyrosa, it forms extracellular crystalline deposits embedded in the intra-medullary space and its function is assumed to balance water uptake and gas exchange during the rare, moist to wet environmental periods that are physiologically favourable. This is a factor that was repeatedly demonstrated to be essential for extremotolerant lichens and other organisms. Depending on the decomposition processes of whewellite under extraterrestrial environmental conditions, it may not only serve as a biomarker of recent life, but also of past and fossilized organisms.

Keywords

biomarkercalcium oxalateCircinaria gyrosaRaman spectroscopy
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 19 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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