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Article
Virus Silicification under Simulated Hot Spring Conditions
Astrobiology
  • James R. Laidler, Portland State University
  • Kenneth M. Stedman, Portland State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-24-2010
Subjects
  • Viruses -- Morphology,
  • Extreme environments,
  • Spectrophotometry
Abstract

Silicification of organisms in silica-depositing environments can impact both their ecology and their presence in the fossil record. Although microbes have been silicified under laboratory and environmental conditions, viruses have not. Bacteriophage T4 was successfully silicified under laboratory conditions that closely simulated those found in silica-depositing hot springs. Virus morphology was maintained, and a clear elemental signature of phosphorus was detected by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS).

Rights

2010 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Archived with permissions. Astrobiology is available online at: https://www.liebertpub.com/

Description

This is a copy of an article published in the journal Astrobiology.

DOI
10.1089/ast.2010.0463
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/10489
Citation Information
Laidler, J. R., & Stedman, K. M. (2010). Virus silicification under simulated hot spring conditions. Astrobiology, 10(6), 569-576.