[Coming soon]
Silica is a biogenically formed mineral when synthesized or created as a byproduct of organisms. [General]
EnvironmentsComparisons between silica features at El Tatio and Mars indicate a potential fossil origin of life. [General]
EnvironmentsLoss of genes enabling silica transport may indicate a low prevalence of intracellular silica as a biosignature. [General]
EnvironmentsSilicification is a process that often preserves biological organisms. [General]
EnvironmentsThe process of silicification may make it hard to identify biogenic origin. [General]
EnvironmentsSilicification occurs more frequently in areas with organic matter, but the exact relation between these is unknown and can be hard to detect in areas with low amounts of organic matter. [Patchiness]
EnvironmentsSilica found in Apex Chert can be created abiotically through hydrothermal vents. [General]
EnvironmentsSilica samples in the Apex Chert are found at depths where photosynthetic organisms can’t exist. [General]
EnvironmentsHydrothermal processes can create abiotic samples with morphological similarity to microorganisms. [General]
Environments