Speaker
Scott Perl
Description
20-minute talk + 10-minute questions
The understanding of microbial life in extreme (salty) environments regarding survivability, ecology, and nutrients on Earth can be applied to Martian subsurface regolith and salt mineral features precipitated meters to km below the crust. The MINAR program at the Boulby Underground Laboratory has given rise to significant insights to 250 Gyr evaporite mineral and brine chemistries that cellular life can thrive in and adapt to over geologic time. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the needs for future astrobiology science return for subsurface Mars environments and how to connect those environments to the Boulby astrobiology campaigns going on for nearly a decade.
