How do prokaryotes survive in fluid inclusions in halite for 30 k.y.?

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2009 How do prokaryotes survive in fluid inclusions in halite for 30 k.y.? Brian A. Schubert; Brian A. Schubert 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA *Current address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tim K. Lowenstein; Tim K. Lowenstein 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael N. Timofeeff; Michael N. Timofeeff 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthew A. Parker Matthew A. Parker 2Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian A. Schubert *Current address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Tim K. Lowenstein 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Michael N. Timofeeff 1Department of Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Matthew A. Parker 2Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 11 Jun 2009 Accepted: 30 Jun 2009 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2009 Geological Society of America Geology (2009) 37 (12): 1059–1062. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30448A.1 Article history Received: 11 Jun 2009 Accepted: 30 Jun 2009 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Brian A. Schubert, Tim K. Lowenstein, Michael N. Timofeeff, Matthew A. Parker; How do prokaryotes survive in fluid inclusions in halite for 30 k.y.?. Geology 2009;; 37 (12): 1059–1062. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30448A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Long-term survival of microorganisms has been demonstrated by prokaryotes cultured from ancient halite, but previous results are controversial. Three genera of non-spore-forming halophilic Archaea were cultured from 22–34 k.y. old subsurface halite from Death Valley, California. Primary, brine-filled inclusions in this halite contained prokaryotic organisms in miniaturized starvation-survival forms and dead cells of the algal genus Dunaliella. The energy needed for protracted survival of halophilic Archaea, including repair of damaged DNA, may have been provided by glycerol and other carbon molecules leaked from Dunaliella cells. These results provide further evidence that fluid inclusions in halite are a favorable refuge for long-term survival of microorganisms, and indicate that the original depositional environment influences the distribution and viability of prokaryotes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.