subsurface microbiology Archives

Diagram illustrating the environments in which deep life has been found (not to scale) Jon Badalamenti, University of Minnesota, USA - Deep Carbon Observatory: A Decade of Discovery p. 41 Source: Wikipedia

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Subsurface Microbiology And The Pressing Societal Need To Support Future Exploration

by Keith CowingJanuary 4, 2026January 3, 2026

Subsurface microbiology is at a crossroads, evolving from asking ‘who’s home’ to seeking clarity on microbes’ functionality and the key processes that constrain subsurface life.

Characterization of a section from the fracture surface to the rock interior. A Photo of the section with a yellow arrow pointing to the fracture surface. B Microscopic image of a region of the section highlighted in a yellow rectangle in A. C Fluorescence microscopy image of the region highlighted by orange rectangle in B. Intensity maps of the section at 1000 cm−1 (D), 1530 cm−1 (E), and 1640 cm−1 (F) obtained by optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. The intensity maps were obtained from the area highlighted with a yellow square in B. G RGB color synthesis of the three intensity maps. A yellow rectangle in G indicates an area where the intensity maps for RGB color synthesis are obtained in Fig. 5A -- Springer Nature

Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Subsurface Microbial Colonization at Mineral-Filled Veins in 2-Billion-Year-Old Mafic Rock from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa

by Keith CowingOctober 27, 2024October 27, 2024

Recent advances in subsurface microbiology have demonstrated the habitability of multi-million-year-old igneous rocks, despite the scarce energy supply from rock-water interactions.

subsurface microbiology

Subsurface Microbiology And The Pressing Societal Need To Support Future Exploration

Subsurface Microbial Colonization at Mineral-Filled Veins in 2-Billion-Year-Old Mafic Rock from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa

White Paper On Phototrophic Biosignatures: Research Priorities For The Search For Life On Other Worlds

Autonomous AI-Cosmoindustry and the Quiet Expansion Filter: A Threshold-Based Resolution of the Fermi Paradox

A Scalable Path to Astrometric Exomoon Discoveries with the Nautilus Space Observatory

20 Years Later: The ALH 84001 Debate in Context with Viking’s Results. Lessons Learned and Portals Opened

Ocean Planet Research: 31 New Species Discovered in Two Weeks of Deep Sea Exploration