Astrobiomineralogy: A Systematic Review of Mineral–Microbe Interactions and Biosignatures in Extreme and Extraterrestrial Environments

Introduction
The study of mineral–microbe interactions under extreme conditions has become a cornerstone in understanding both the origins of life and its potential beyond Earth. Minerals play a crucial role as catalytic surfaces, nutrient sources, and preservers of biosignatures. The emerging field of astrobiomineralogy integrates geochemistry, microbiology, and space sciences to explore how such processes operate from Earth’s deepest biosphere to Martian and icy moon environments.

Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review analyzed 180 peer-reviewed studies (2010-2025) retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. Studies focusing on microbial colonization, biomineralization, and mineral biosignatures in extreme or simulated extraterrestrial conditions were included. Bibliometric and co-word analyses were conducted using VOSviewer.

Results
Results reveal convergent patterns between terrestrial extremophiles (e.g., cyanobacteria, Deinococcus spp.) and their mineral substrates, particularly sulfates, phyllosilicates, and iron oxides, mirroring assemblages detected on Mars and Europa. Laboratory simulations demonstrate that microbial films induce mineralogical transformations that can persist as biosignatures detectable by Raman and X-ray spectroscopy.

Conclusions
Astrobiomineralogy bridges the gap between mineral sciences and space biomedicine, elucidating how life-mineral systems respond to radiation, desiccation, and low gravity. The synthesis highlights new frontiers for planetary exploration, life detection strategies, and potential biotechnological applications of extremophilic mineral interactions in human spaceflight contexts.