lithicola

A lithicola is an organism that lives within rocks. These organisms, often microorganisms like bacteria and archaea, can survive in the extreme environments found deep within the Earth's crust, far from sunlight and surface nutrients. Lithic life is a form of endolithic life, meaning it exists within a porous material.

The study of lithic life falls under the umbrella of geomicrobiology. These microbes obtain energy through chemosynthesis, deriving it from chemical reactions with minerals and dissolved gases present in the rock. They can utilize a variety of energy sources, including sulfur compounds, iron, and hydrogen. Water, even in small amounts trapped within pores or fractures, is crucial for their survival and metabolic processes.

Lithic ecosystems are incredibly diverse and can be found in various rock types, from granite to sandstone. The organisms often form complex communities, with different species occupying specific niches within the rock matrix. Some lithic microbes can also influence the rock itself, contributing to processes like mineral weathering and the formation of new mineral phases. The discovery and understanding of lithic life have implications for astrobiology, as it provides models for potential life on other planets with rocky crusts, such as Mars.