The deep hot biosphere

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Bibliographic Information

The deep hot biosphere

Thomas Gold ; foreword by Freeman Dyson

Copernicus, c1999

Available at  / 6 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-225) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Does there exist, deep within the earth's crust, a second biosphere-- composed of very primitive, thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria, and containing more living matter than the entire surface? This idea, first proposed by the author in the early 1980s, is now supported by a growing body of evidence. The implications are astonishing: is the deep biosphere where life originated? Can Mars and other seemingly dead planets contain deep biospheres? Is there yet another--deeper, hotter--biosphere within the earth, based on silicon instead of carbon? This is the first book to explore this very controversial, intriguing theory.

Table of Contents

Introduction * Our "fortunate" place in the universe * Is our food club the only one on the planet?- The discovery of life at volcanic vents in the ocean floors * Subterranean life observed: the limitaztions of space, food and temperature * The derivation of petroleum * Biology and geochemistry * Where did life originate?- How widespread is life in the universe?- Another type of life even deeper?- Conclusion.

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