Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthetic organisms are of special interest to scientists who study the origin of life and the possibility of life on other bodies in space (see astrobiology). Some chemosynthetic organisms such as archaea can also be extremophiles that exist in extreme heat or chemical conditions similar to those thought to exist on early Earth. Researchers hope to find clues to how life came to exist on Earth or might exist elsewhere in the universe. Within our solar system, the planet Mars and the moons Europa and Titan might have conditions similar to those where chemosynthetic microbes are found on Earth.

Scientists also study chemosynthetic microorganisms to understand chemical processes in living things (see biochemistry). The special chemistry used by chemosynthetic microbes could have application in industry and manufacturing. The microbes themselves or genetically modified versions could also be used to treat pollution from industrial and toxic chemicals.