Subsurface Lithoautotrophic Microbial Ecosystem

Subsurface Lithoautotrophic Microbial Ecosystem

Subsurface Lithoautotrophic Microbial Ecosystems, or "SLIMEs" (also abbreviated "SLMEs" or "SLiMEs"), are defined by Edward O. Wilson as "unique assemblages of bacteria and fungi that occupy pores in the interlocking mineral grains of igneous rock beneath Earth's surface." [Edward O. Wilson, "The Future of Life" (New York: Random House 2002), 7.]

References

External links

* [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/270/5235/450 Article from Sciencemag.org about SLIMEs in Deep Basalt Aquifers]
* [http://spiedl.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=PSISDG003111000001000358000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes Subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems (SLMEs) in igneous rocks: prospects for detection]
* [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17113846 Hydrogen-driven subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems (SLiMEs): do they exist and why should we care?]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ecosystem — An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro organisms(biotic factors) in an area functioning together with all of the non living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment.Christopherson, RW (1996) Geosystems: An …   Wikipedia

  • Lithoautotroph — A lithoautotroph is a microbe which derives energy from reduced compounds of mineral origin. They may also be referred to as chemolithoautotrophs, a type of lithotrophs, reflecting their autotrophic metabolic pathways. Lithoautotrophs are… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”