Survival of microbes in Earth's stratosphere.

Priya DasSarma, Shiladitya DasSarma

Journal: Current opinion in microbiology 2019;43():24-30

PMID: 29156444

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The remarkable survival of microorganisms high above the surface of the Earth is of increasing interest. At stratospheric levels, multiple stressors including ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, low temperatures, hypobaric conditions, extreme desiccation, and nutrient scarcity are all significant challenges. Our understanding of which microorganisms are capable of tolerating such stressful conditions has been addressed by stratospheric sample collection and survival assays, through launching and recovery, and exposure to simulated conditions in the laboratory. Here, we review stratospheric microbiology studies providing our current perspective on microbial life at extremely high altitudes and discuss implications for health and agriculture, climate change, planetary protection, and astrobiology.

Address: University of Maryland School of Medicine and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA.; University of Maryland School of Medicine and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, 701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.11.002

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MeSH Terms: Atmosphere, Bacteria, Climate Change, Cold Temperature, Earth, Planet, Exobiology, Fungi, Microbial Viability, Ozone, Ultraviolet Rays