FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2008                                 

DRI researcher’s book searches for extreme life on other planets
Giles Marion investigates cold aqueous planetary geochemistry

RENO - Giles Marion’s recently published book “Cold Aqueous Planetary Geochemistry with FREZCHEM” explicitly investigates issues of astrobiological relevance in the context of cold aqueous planetary geochemistry.

Marion is an associate research professor in the Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in Reno. Marion’s co-author Jeffery S. Kargel, is a planetary geologist from the University of Arizona.

“I have worked on refining a computer model known as FREZCHEM (FREeZing CHEMistry) at DRI which simulates and predicts the behavior of substances at extremely cold temperatures,” Marion said. “My interest in thermodynamics led to the development of FREZCHEM, which allows researchers to look at and predict geochemical processes at subzero temperatures.”

“The potential applications are numerous, including examining the possibility of life on other planets, mine reclamation in cold regions, road deicing, gas hydrate stability in oceans, and commercial refrigeration processes.”

FREZCHEM is of general relevance to biogeochemists and geochemical modelers, cold planetary scientists, applications to solar systems bodies in general, and to speculations about the limits for life in cold environments in particular.

“We raise several questions in our book,” Marion said. “Are we alone in the Universe? Should we reach for the stars? Either yes or no to these questions is both frightening and profound.”

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