Project 21:
Small concentrations of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)—sticky biopolymers excreted by common microorganisms—can greatly increase sediment strength and reduce erosion resistance. Therefore, EPS could play an important role in shaping landscapes both on Earth and possibly ancient Mars. However, little is known about the distribution and cohesive strength of biopolymers in Mars analog substrates. Students involved in this project will grow biological soil crusts (known sources of EPS) on Mars regolith simulant as well as Earth substrates in a greenhouse. The results of this project are expected to deepen scientific knowledge of Earth sediments and may help inform the search for life on Mars.
The student will be expected to work on average 10 hours a week. During the first semester, the student will monitor biological soil crust growth, collect samples from the growing crusts, and learn to inoculate new soil crusts. This will involve identifying biological soil crust taxa in the greenhouse and may involve microscopy. In the second semester, the student will primarily focus on analyzing the data and prepare graphs and other scientific figures that highlight data trends, which will be done remotely. The student will be expected to present these data at the Arizona Space Grant UGRIP Statewide Symposium if a remote presentation option is available.
The student will be expected to present this work at the Arizona Space Grant UGRIP Statewide Symposium, assuming a remote presentation option is available. If desired, the student may also present in additional poster sessions including the AZ Astrobio Symposium, and the NAU undergraduate symposium. The student will also be encouraged to attend weekly lab meetings and to collaborate with other scientists throughout the two semesters of their involvement in the project.