The evolution of N2, Ar, O2, and CO2 from Martian soil as a function of humidity in the Gas Exchange Experiment are correlated with the mean level of water vapor in the Martian atmosphere. All but O2 are associated with desorption. The evolution of oxygen is consistent with the presence of alkaline earth and alkali metal superoxides; and their peroxides and the gamma-Fe2O3 in the soil can account for the generation of radioactive gas in the Labeled Release Experiment. The slower evolution of CO2 from both the Gas Exchange Experiment and the Labeled Release Experiment are associated with the direct oxidation of organics by gamma-Fe2O3. The Pyrolytic Release Experiment's second peak may be carbon suboxide as demonstrated by laboratory experiments. A necessary condition is that the polymer exists in the Martian soil. We ascribe the activity of the surface samples to the reaction of Martian particulates with an anhydrous CO2 atmosphere activated by uv and ionizing radiations. The surface particles are ultimately altered by exposure to small but significant amounts of water at the sites. From the working model, we have predicted the peculiar nature of the chemical entities and demonstrated that the model is justified by laboratory data. The final confirmation of this model will entail a return to Mars, but the nature and implications of this chemistry for the Martian surface is predicted to reveal even more about Mars with further simulations in the laboratory.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-022022-2.50005-8 | DOI Listing |
An Acad Bras Cienc
December 2024
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Núcleo de Genética Molecular Ambiental e Astrobiologia, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Pavilhão Reitor Haroldo Lisboa da Cunha, Subsolo, Maracanã, 20550-013 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Extremophile organisms have been largely studied in Astrobiology. Among them, two antarctic plants emerge as good candidates to become colonizers of other celestial bodies, such as Mars and the Moon. The present research aimed to evaluate survival and growing capacity of Sanionia uncinata and Colobanthus quitensis on Martian (MGS-1) and Lunar (LMS-1) regolith simulants, under terrestrial conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLife Sci Space Res (Amst)
November 2024
Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA.
The microgravity conditions experienced in space prevent the proper distribution of water throughout root modules of plant growth hardware, and the lack of convective mixing and buoyancy reduces gas exchange. To overcome this problem, cultivation technologies should be designed that take advantage of the unique traits of the spaceflight environment instead of attempting to recreate Earth-like conditions. Such technologies should be adaptable to both the microgravity of spaceflight and the low gravity environments of the lunar and Martian surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
October 2024
MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Perchlorate is one of the major inorganic pollutants in the natural environment and the living environment, which is toxic to organisms and difficult to degrade due to its special structure. As previously reported, the Phoenix Mars lander detected approximately 0.6% perchlorate in the Martian soil, indicating challenges for Earth-based life to survive there.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAstrobiology
November 2024
Electron Microscopy Core, Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
A major unknown in the field of planetary protection is the degree to which natural atmospheric processes remove terrestrial microorganisms from robotic and crewed spacecraft that could potentially contaminate Mars (i.e., forward contamination).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaterials (Basel)
August 2024
HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Magyar Tudósok Krt. 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
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