Microorganism Studies

    Much work has been put into identifying specific pioneer microorganisms for the process of ecopoiesis. Friedmann et al. (1995) have suggested the primitive cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis for possible consideration. These organisms, the authors argue, are very likely similar to the first organisms that appeared on Earth. Sometimes called "extremophiles," such organisms are typically able to tolerate wide environmental extremes, including dessication, high salinity and low temperatures. The adjacent figure shows how they tend to grow underneath translucent rocks at the rock-soil interface of planetary surfaces (“hypolithic growth”). Because the rocks above them warm to several degrees above ambient, metabolism could occur even at sub-freezing surface temperatures. Furthermore, studies of cell structures in permafrost (Soina et al. 1995) have indicated that these types of organisms are relatively impervious to cold, and may remain viable even during longterm and repeated freezings.

    It is important to note that even as hardy a microorganism as this would not be completely self-sustaining under Martian conditions. They would have to be farmed, perhaps placed under long translucent strips, and moistened periodically (approximately once every 18 days) during which time metabolic activity would occur.