microenvironment Archives

Photographs of the microclimate monitoring systems that were implemented in the study: (A) Air temperature and humidity sensor in a 12 cm diameter radiation shield. (B) Light sensor mounted ~10 cm above the rock surface in a stand. (C) Conductivity sensor (one of six). (D) Dew sensor (7 cm on a side) 4. Not shown are the rock temperature sensors and the tipping bucket rain gauge. (Photographs by Irit Nir). (E) Geological Map of Timna Park showing the location of the rain gauge in Timna Park. (F) Stratigraphy Index of the Geological map (Origin of the map and the index: Beyth et al. 1999). -- Environmental Geology Reports

Analog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report

The Biology, Microclimate, and Geology of a Distinctive Ecosystem Within the Sandstone of Hyper-Arid Timna Valley, Israel

by Keith CowingSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Microbial endolithic communities in the sandstone rocks of the southern Negev Desert, particularly in Timna Park, were initially discovered by Imre Friedmann and Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann in their pioneering study about […]

Bioenergetic results from the modeled simulations showing the feasibility of sulfate reduction, methanotrophy, methanogenesis, and anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO), based on Gibbs Energy quantification. All reactions at equilibrium are exergonic at all modeled conditions. Computed Gibbs Free Energy of Reaction is displayed as kJ/mol per e− transferred in the given reaction. -- Life

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report

Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars

by Keith CowingJanuary 3, 2024January 3, 2024

We provide new support for habitable microenvironments in the near-subsurface of Mars, hosted in Fe- and Mg-rich rock units, and present a list of minerals that can serve as indicators […]