Follow the Elements
The Elser lab is an part of the large inter-disciplinary Astrobiology Team at ASU that is “following the elements” to help guide the exploration for life beyond Earth, in our Solar System and on planets orbiting other stars.
Our research is motivated by a simple observation: that life-as-we-know-it uses a non-random selection of the chemical elements. This observation prompts many questions:
1. What are the rules that govern the selection of these “bioessential” elements?
2. How might these elements differ in extreme environments on Earth or beyond?
3. How common are the bioessential elements in the extraterrestrial environments that might harbor life?
4. How are the distributions of these elements in the cosmos shaped by astrophysical processes?
Our work is primarily involved in collaborative projects aimed at questions 1 and 2. The work involves intensive laboratory studies of the effects of element (N, P, Fe) limitation on extremophilic microbes and field studies investigating element ratios and nutrient limitation in hot springs at Yellowstone National Park and in "not-so-hot" springs at Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico.
To learn more about the Astrobiology project, go the main ASU Astrobiology web site. LINK
Collaborators
Ariel Anbar (lead PI)
Everett Shock
Hilairy Hartnett
Susanne Neuer
Valeria Souza
Janet Siefert
and others!
Funding
Cuatro Ciénegas (2001–2004)
The Cuatro Ciénegas basin (Coahuila, Mexico) in the Chihuahuan desert is believed to have the highest degree of local endemism in macro-biota (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants) in all of North America. Recent studies have revealed that it also harbors an astonishing level of microbial diversity. These endemic species inhabit long-isolated and unique aquatic habitats fed by mildly thermal and highly mineralized springs that emerge from unknown depths to feed surface ponds and streams that eventually empty into harsh evaporative basins. Of special interest are the basin’s diverse and complex forms of “stromatolites”, laminating microbial mats that physically resemble modern coral reefs and are thought to represent analogues of the forms of life that dominated Earth before the evolution of higher animals.
Our work examined the role of P limitation in affecting the C:P ratios, productivity, and community structure of stromatolite microbial communities. We also considered the role of stoichiometric constraints on stromatolite-snail interactions in the context of possible factors related to the Cambrian Explosion.
Collaborators
- Jack Farmer
- Ferran Garcia-Pichel
- Tom Dowling
- Valeria Souza (UNAM Mexico City)
- Luis Eguiarte (UNAM Mexico City)
Funding