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BG8.1

traces of the early biosphere
Convener: Emmanuelle J. Javaux 

The search for life in early Earth rocks and beyond Earth requires the characterization of biosignatures. Under what conditions do cells with varying biochemical properties preserve? How do processes of decay and preservation retain, obliterate or alter original biological properties? How can we tell biological from non-biological? At a global scale, what are the consequences of early life diversification on planet Earth? How would Earth be like without life? To address these questions about traces of life from the cellular to the planetary scale, we welcome contributions about morphological, chemical, isotopic signatures of life in various past and modern environmental conditions, as well as potential abiotic signatures that mimic biological processes.