FIG. 8.
Viability of the photobiont of B. frigida after exposure to SVT conditions as percentage of metabolically active cells by live/dead staining with FUN-1. The exposure was performed under simulated space conditions on rock and simulated Mars conditions on P- and S-MRS. The experimental conditions are “control” (CO), “dark exposure” (DE), and “full exposure” with a total UVR (λ200–400nm) fluence of 5.7×105 kJ m−2 (FE). Percentage given as mean value±standard deviation of n=5–23 thallus sections and 255–1875 cells counted. Significant differences are calculated by Student t test with H0>0.05: *=significantly lower compared to the respective controls, x=significantly lower compared to FE samples on rock, o=significantly lower compared to the dark-exposed samples on rock and on P-MRS.