2. M.I.S.S. - M.A.R.S. W. E. Krumbein ICBM, University of Oldenburg Germany

3. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Classification of Biostructures

4. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Classification of Biostructures

5. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Biopitting of Keats (Foreigner cemetery of Rome)

6. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Microbial and mechanical alterations of rock surfaces

7. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. What is Biopitting? Biopitting is a natural phenomenon related to the activity of rock inhabiting microbiota Biopitting is characteristic for erosional features more rapid and more specific than chemical or physical erosion Biopitting can be classified into several orders of magnitude (micro-,meso-,macro-,megapits) Biopitting can be classified by organism (bacterial, cyanobacterial, fungal, lichen generated structures)

8. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Biopitting is produced mainly by lichen and fungal biofilms/networks Biopitting is produced by lichens, free living fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria including cyanobacteria. It was shown in the field and laboratory that they penetrate even resistant silicate rocks creating bioerosional structures Biopitting is a very fast biodeterioration process It proceeds chemical or mechanical upon chemical conditioning.

9. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. The microbial Network detection Make the Invisible visible, see the dimensions

10. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Microbial alterations of rock colour are difficult to detect

11. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Black meristematic poikilophilic yeast form tiny hard colonies and satellite colonies causing stains; mechanical perforation is typical; pigment formed can be excreted, and lead to biopatina or rock varnish formation

12. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Biopatina formation on the monument and the quarry

13. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. In 1850 the Acropolis carried an orange patina created by lichens and fungi In 1900 the patina had changed to black stained patina created by surface growth of black yeast and cyanobacteria In 1950 the marble at the surface was white while the flora retreated into the rock

14. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Microcolonial fungi on limestone of the Negev Desert and in marble of the Acropolis, Athens

15. DFG-Priority Programme MARS and the terrestrial Planets- IV. MMII Münster W. E. KRUMBEIN M.A.R.S. Microbially Altered Rock Surfaces (M.A.R.S.) - can biologically produced alterations be analysed by remote sensing techniques?