Psychrophilic microorganisms from areas associated with the Viking spacecraft.
Microorganisms capable of growth at 7 C were enumerated and isolated from soil samples from the manufacture and assembly areas of the Viking spacecraft. Populations ranging from 4.2 X 10(3) to 7.7 X 10(6)/g of soil were isolated from the 15 soil samples examined. Temperature requirements were determined, and those growing at 3 C, but not at 32 C, were designated as obligate psychrophiles in this investigation. Populations of soil bacteria, including aerobic sporeformers, ranging from 1.5 X 10(2) to 9.8 X 10(5)/g were capable of growth at 3 C, but not at 32 C. Bacterial isolates were identified to major generic groups. No psychrophilic sporeformers were isolated from soil from the manufacture area, but psychrophilic sporeformers ranged from 0 to 6.1 X 10(3)/g from soil from the assembly area.
D000332:Aerobiosis; D000401:Aircraft; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013026:Space Flight; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000254:growth & development