Out of Thin Air? Astrobiology and Atmospheric Chemotrophy

The emerging understanding of microbial trace gas chemotrophy as a metabolic strategy to support energy and carbon acquisition for microbial survival and growth has significant implications in the search for past, and even extant, life beyond Earth. The use of trace gases, including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as substrates for microbial oxidation, potentially offers a viable strategy with which to support life on planetary bodies that possess a suitable atmospheric composition, such as Mars and Titan. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge of this process and explore its potential in the field of astrobiological exploration.

Automated summary

The understanding of microbial trace gas chemotrophy as a metabolic strategy to support microbial survival and growth has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth. Microbes using trace gases as substrates for oxidation offer a viable strategy to support life on planetary bodies with suitable atmospheric composition, such as Mars and Titan.