Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microbes and Radiation

  • Chapter
Enigmatic Microorganisms and Life in Extreme Environments

Part of the book series: Cellular Origin and Life in Extreme Habitats ((COLE,volume 1))

Abstract

For life to exist, there must be an input of energy. Radiation, the movement of energy through space, is the critical source of energy for life because visible radiation in the 400 to 700 nm range (photosynthetically active radiation; PAR) powers photosynthesis. Other forms of radiation, for example UV and ionizing radiation, have effects on organisms that can range from beneficial (e.g., vitamin D synthesis) to lethal. Some forms of radiation have been a constant for organisms over geologic time, whereas others vary seasonally and diurnally. Exposure to radiation may depend on ecology, with, for example, organisms living near granite receiving more terrestrial radiation than those that do not. Man-made radiation can result in novel exposures or exposure levels. Some forms of radiation are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere and thus are newly relevant with respect to interplanetary travel or to potential extraterrestrial biota.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Battista, J.R. (1997) Ann. Rev. Microbial. 51: 203–224.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blakefield, M.K. and D.O. Harris (1994) Photochem. Photobiol. 59: 204–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, C.R., Morrow, J.H., Coohill, T.P., Cullen, J.J., Frederick, J.E., Häder, D.-P., Holm-Hansen, O., Jeffrey, W.H., Mitchell, D.L., Neale, P.J., Sobolev, I., van der Leun, J., and Worrest, R.C. (1997) Photochem. Photobiol. 65: 252–269.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bothwell, M.L., Sherbot, D.M.J., and Pollock, C.M. (1994) Science 265: 97–100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boulikas, T. (1992) J. Mol. Evol. 35: 156–180.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cockell, C. and Rothschild, L. J. J. Phycol. in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, G.M. (1997) The Cell. A Molecular Approach. ASM Press, Washington D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darwin, C. (1859) The Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle For Life. John Murray, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Döhler, G., Worrest, R.C., Biermann, I., and Zink, J. (1987) Physiol. Plantarum 70: 511–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Pichel, F. and B.M. Bebout. (1996) Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 131: 257–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Pichel, F. and Castenholz, R.W. (1994) In: L.J. Stal and P. Caumette (eds.), Microbial Mats NATO ASI Series, Vol. G35, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 77–83.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Pichel, F. and R.W. Castenholz (1991) J. Phycol. 27: 395–409.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Pichel, F. and R.W. Castenholz (1993) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 59: 163–169.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Pichel, F., N.D. Sherry, and R.W. Castenholz (1992) Photochem. Photobiol. 56: 17–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A.C. (1967) In: T.-T. Chen (ed.) Protozoology, Vol. 2 Pergamon Press Inc., New York, pp. 268–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleason, D.F. and Wellington, G.M. (1993) Nature 365: 836–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Häder, D.-P. (1993) Progr. Phycol. Res. 9: 1–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Häder, D.-P. and F.L. Figueroa (1997) Photochem. Photobiol. 66: 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, E. (1984) Radiation and Life, Second ed. Pergamon Press Inc., New York, 255 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harm, W. (1980) Biological Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation. IUPAB Biophysics Series I. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 216 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemmersbach, R., Becker, E., and Stockem, W. (1997) Bioelectromagnetics 18: 491–498.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herdman, M. (1982) In: N.G. Carr and B.A. Whitton (eds.) The Biology of the Cyabacteria. Botanical Monographs, vol. 19, pp. 263–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, D.R., Peat, A., and Potts, M. (1994) Protoplasma 182: 126–148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, H.D., Feakes, C.R., and Zbinden, E.A. (1989) Am. J. Science 289: 362–389.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horneck, G. (1997) Trends In Photochemistry & Photobiology 4: 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homeck, G., Rettberg, P., Rabbow, E., Strauch, W., Seckmeyer, G., Facius, R., Reitz, G, Strauch, K., and Schott, J.-U. (1996) Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biology 32: 189–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, W.H., Pledger, R.J., Aas, P., Hager, S., Coffin, R.B., Von Haven, R., and Mitchell, D.L. (1996) Marine Ecol. Progr. Ser. 137: 283–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karentz, D., Cleaver, J.E., and Mitchell, D.L. (1991) J. Phycol. 27: 326–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasting, J.F. (1987) Precambr. Res. 34: 205–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasting, J.F. (1993) Science 259: 920–926.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klironomos, J.N. and Allen, M.F. (1995) Functional Ecology 9, 923–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, W.R. and Atreya, S.K. (1979) J. Mol. Evol. 14: 57–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, J.A.M., Williams, E., O’Brien, P.A., and Houghton, J.A. (1980) J. Gen. Microbiol. 121: 213–220.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesk, A.M. (1973) J. Theor. Biol. 40: 201–202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, E. and Thiel, T. (1987) J. Bacteriol. 169: 3988–3993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mancinelli, R. L., White, M.R., and Rothschild, L.J. Adv. Space Research, In Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margulis, L., Walker, J.C.G., and Rambler, M. (1976) Nature 264: 620–624.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martini, B., Marangoni, R., GioffrĂ©, D., and Colombetti, G. (1997) J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biology 39: 197–203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattimore, V. and Battista, J.R. ( 1996) J. Bacteriol. 178: 633–637.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCready, S. (1996) Mutation Res. 364: 25–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKay, C.P. (1997) Origins Life Evol. Biosphere 27: 263–289.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKay, C.P., Toon, O.B., and Kasting, J.F. (1991) Nature 352: 489–496.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michod, R.E. and Wojciechowski, M.F. (1994) J. Evol. Biol. 7: 147–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michod, R.E., Wojciechowski, M.F. and Hoelzer, M.A. (1988) Genetics 118: 31–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mongold, J.A. (1992) Genetics 132: 893–898.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nasim, A. and James, A.P. (1978)In: D.J. Kushner (ed.), Microbial Life in Extreme Environments. Academic Press, New York, pp. 409–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neale, P.J., Cullen, J.J., Lessen, M.P., and Melis, A. (1993) in H.Y. Yamamoto and C.M. Smith, C.M. (eds.), Photosynthetic Responses to the Environment., American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, Maryland, pp 61–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nealson, K. et al. (1992) Biological Contamination of Mars: Issues and Recommendations. Task Group on Planetary Protection, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, C.V. and Amanatidis, G.T. (1995) J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biol. 31: 3–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, P.A. and Houghton, J.A. (1982) Photochem. Photobiol. 36: 417–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, J.M. and Pierson, B.K. (1986) Photosynth. Res. 9: 251–260.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, S.N., Schramm, N., Hu, P.C., Bott, K.F., and Hutchison, C.A. III (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19: 6027.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pierson, B.K. (1994) in Bengtson, S. (ed.), Early Life On Earth. Nobel Symposium No. 84. Columbia University Press, New York, pp. 161–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierson, B.K. and Olson, J.M. (1989) in Y. Cohen and E. Rosenberg (eds.), Microbial Mats. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. pp. 403–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierson, B.K., Mitchell, H.K., and Ruff-Roberts, A.L. (1993) Origins Of Life Evol. Biosphere 23: 243–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proteau, P.J., Gerwick, W.H., Garcia-Pichel, F. and Castenholz, R. (1993) Experientia (Basel) 49: 825–829.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rambler, M. and Margulis, L. (1976) Origins of Life 7: 73–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rambler, M.B. and Margulis, L. (1980) Science 210: 638–640.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Redfield, R.J. (1993) Genetics 133: 755–761.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renger, G., Volker, M., Eckert, H.J., Fromme, R., Hohm-Veit, S., and Graber, P. (1989) Photochem. Photobiol. 49: 97–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, L.J. (1990) Icarus 88: 246–260.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, L.J. (1995) Adv. Space Res. 15(3): 223–228.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, L.J., Giver, L.J., White, M.R. and Mancinelli, R.L. (1994) J. Phycol. 30: 431–438.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sagan, C. (1973) J. Theor. Biol. 39: 195–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sancar, A. (1994) Science 266: 1954–1956.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Setlow, P. (1992) J. Bacteriol. 174: 2737–2741.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sgarbossa, A., Lucia, S., Lenci, F., GioffrĂ©, D., Ghetti, F,. and Checcucci, G. (1995) J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biology 27: 243–249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sies, H. (ed.).(1985) Oxidative Stress., Academic Press, San Diego, 507 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinha, R.P., Singh, N., Kumar, A., Kumar, H.D., Häder, M., and Häder, D.P. (1996) J. Photochem Photobiol. 32: 107–113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stroes-Gascoyne, S. and West, J. M. (1996) Can. J. Microbiol. 42: 349–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tobias, C. A. and Todd, P. (1974) Space Radiation Biology and Related Topics. Academic Press, New York, 648 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyagi, R., Srinivas, G., Vyas, D., Kumar, A. and Kumar, H.D. (1992) Photochem. Photobiol. 55: 401–407.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, W.F. and Quesada, A. (1994) Ultraviolet Radiation in Antarctica: Measurements and Biological Effects, Antarctic Research Series, 62: 111–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, W.F. and Roy S. (1993) Environ. Rev. 1: 1–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, J.C.G., Klein, C., Schidlowski, M., Schopf, J.W., Stevenson, D.J., and Walter, M.R. (1983) in J.W. Schopf (ed.), Earth’s Earliest Biosphere, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, pp. 260–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasui, A., Eker, A.P.M., Yasuhira, S., Yajima, H., Kobayashi, T., Takao, M. and Oikawa, A. (1994) EMBO J. 13: 6142–6151.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecosystem Science and Technology Mail Stop 239-12, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035-1000, USA

    L. J. Rothschild

Authors
  1. L. J. Rothschild
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Joseph Seckbach

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rothschild, L.J. (1999). Microbes and Radiation. In: Seckbach, J. (eds) Enigmatic Microorganisms and Life in Extreme Environments. Cellular Origin and Life in Extreme Habitats, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4838-2_43

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4838-2_43

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1863-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4838-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation