Evolution of Hydrothermal Ecosystems on Earth (and Mars) (Novartis Foundation Symposia) [Hardcover]

CIBA Foundation Symposium (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047196509X | ISBN-13: 978-0471965091 | Publication Date: December 1996 | Edition: 1

This book explores the possibility that life exists on Mars. It provides an interdisciplinary overview of the early evolution of life in hydrothermal ecosystems on Earth, focusing on the problem of remote sensing and incorporating geological work relevant to the search for evidence of early life on Earth and Mars. It discusses the belief that studying thermal spring deposits as part of this search may be the best opportunity to test whether life on earth is a "unique experiment," or whether there is life elsewhere in the solar system.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 

From the Publisher

Hydrothermal ecosystems are expected to have existed on Earth since life began. An origin of life at high temperatures now appears most probable. Research to develop strategies for the search of fossil life on Mars may well be our best opportunity to test whether life on Earth is a "unique experiment", or whether there is, or ever was, life elsewhere in the Solar system (and by extension, the Universe). Focusing attention on the history of high temperature ecosystems and bringing together biologists, geologists, and paleobiologists for the first time, there now seems real reason to believe in life on Mars. This is an exciting overview of the latest possibilities of life on Mars; with interdisciplinary discussion of the early evolution of life in hydrothermal ecosystems on Earth, as yet unheard. Consideration of data on Earth and Mars is unusual in the book in that if focuses specifically on the problem of remote sensing and brings in geologists whose work in this area is relevant to search for evidence of life on Earth and Mars.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 346 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047196509X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471965091
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,928,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview., April 30, 2001

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Laughingrid (in Tucson) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evolution of Hydrothermal Ecosystems on Earth (and Mars) (Novartis Foundation Symposia) (Hardcover)

Explains the importance of hydrothermal systems with respect to the origins of life, and then explores the possibility of similar systems being present on Mars, as well as practical issues about detecting them.

Review-type papers on relevant topics are written by leading scientists in the field, including: hydrothermal systems as sites for emerging life (E.L. Shock), water on Mars (M. Carr), and evidence for hydrothermal systems on Mars (J. Farmer).

The papers were presented as part of a conference, and the book also includes transcripts of discussions between the authors/attendees. There are short question-and-answer sections following each paper, as well as several longer discussion sessions on specific topics. I found that to be a unique approach, and very interesting.

I have used this book as a reference many times -- but then, I do research on this subject!