Comparative Survival Analysis of Deinococcus radiodurans and the Haloarchaea Natrialba magadii and Haloferax volcanii Exposed to Vacuum Ultraviolet Irradiation

Abstract

The haloarchaea Natrialba magadii and Haloferax volcanii, as well as the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans, were exposed to vacuum UV (VUV) radiation at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. Cell monolayers (containing 10⁵ to 10⁶ cells per sample) were prepared over polycarbonate filters and irradiated under high vacuum (10⁻⁵ Pa) with polychromatic synchrotron radiation. N. magadii was remarkably resistant to high vacuum with a survival fraction of (3.77±0.76)×10⁻², which was larger than that of D. radiodurans (1.13±0.23)×10⁻². The survival fraction of the haloarchaea H. volcanii, of (3.60±1.80)×10⁻⁴, was much smaller. Radiation resistance profiles were similar between the haloarchaea and D. radiodurans for fluences up to 150 J m⁻². For fluences larger than 150 J m⁻², there was a significant decrease in the survival of haloarchaea, and in particular H. volcanii did not survive. Survival for D. radiodurans was 1% after exposure to the higher VUV fluence (1350 J m⁻²), while N. magadii had a survival lower than 0.1%. Such survival fractions are discussed regarding the possibility of interplanetary transfer of viable microorganisms and the possible existence of microbial life in extraterrestrial salty environments such as the planet Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. This is the first work to report survival of haloarchaea under simulated interplanetary conditions. Key Words: Vacuum ultraviolet—Synchrotron—Radiation resistance—Planetary protection—Panspermia. Astrobiology 11, 1034–1040.