Lichens, cyanobacteria and molds growing in humidity of simulated Martian atmosphere: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Martian conditions in miniature (7494313830) (2).jpg|thumb|Martian conditions in miniature - In the Mars simulation chamber, DLR researchers recreated the atmospheric composition and pressure, the planet's surface, the temperature cycles and the solar radiation incident on the surface. The activity of polar and alpine lichen was investigated under these conditions.]] |
[[Image:Martian conditions in miniature (7494313830) (2).jpg|thumb|Martian conditions in miniature - In the Mars simulation chamber, DLR researchers recreated the atmospheric composition and pressure, the planet's surface, the temperature cycles and the solar radiation incident on the surface. The activity of polar and alpine lichen was investigated under these conditions.]] |
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A series of experiments by DLR (German aerospace company) in Mars simulation chambers and on the ISS show that some Earth life (Lichens and strains of chrooccocidiopsis, a green algae) can survive Mars surface conditions and photosynthesize and metabolize, slowly, in absence of any water at all. They could make use of the humidity of the Mars atmosphere.<ref name="dlrMarsStudy">[http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-3409/ Surviving the conditions on Mars] DLR, 26 April 2012</ref><ref name="sciencedirect.com">{{cite journal|url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1754504812000098 | doi=10.1016/j.funeco.2012.01.008 | volume=5 | issue=4 | title=Lichens as survivors in space and on Mars | year=2012 | journal=Fungal Ecology | pages=472–479 | last1 = de Vera | first1 = Jean-Pierre}}</ref><ref name="norlx51.nordita.org">R. de la Torre Noetzel, F.J. Sanchez Inigo, E. Rabbow, G. Horneck, J. P. de Vera, L.G. Sancho [http://norlx51.nordita.org/~brandenb/astrobiology/EANA2012/single_abstracts/Delatorre.pdf Survival of lichens to simulated Mars conditions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603191033/http://norlx51.nordita.org/~brandenb/astrobiology/EANA2012/single_abstracts/Delatorre.pdf |date=2013-06-03 }}</ref><ref name="Issue 1 2012, Pages 102">{{cite journal|url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063312002425 | doi=10.1016/j.pss.2012.08.005 | bibcode=2012P&SS...72..102S | volume=72 | issue=1 | title=The resistance of the lichen Circinaria gyrosa (nom. provis.) towards simulated Mars conditions—a model test for the survival capacity of an eukaryotic extremophile | year=2012 | journal=Planetary and Space Science | pages=102–110 | last1 = Sánchez | first1 = F.J.}}</ref><ref name="BilliViaggiu2011">{{cite journal|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles_Cockell/publication/49810974_Damage_escape_and_repair_in_dried_Chroococcidiopsis_spp._from_hot_and_cold_deserts_exposed_to_simulated_space_and_martian_conditions/links/0c960530543245cde9000000.pdf&hl=en&sa=T&oi=gsb-gga&ct=res&cd=1&ei=M2AqVeLzG-fq0AG5xYGACA&scisig=AAGBfm1aHrkKehQaYpPYGQ9mjRxVTxPS0Q|last1=Billi|first1=Daniela|last2=Viaggiu|first2=Emanuela|last3=Cockell|first3=Charles S.|last4=Rabbow|first4=Elke|last5=Horneck|first5=Gerda|last6=Onofri|first6=Silvano|title=Damage Escape and Repair in DriedChroococcidiopsisspp. from Hot and Cold Deserts Exposed to Simulated Space and Martian Conditions|journal=Astrobiology|volume=11|issue=1|year=2011|pages=65–73|issn=1531-1074|doi=10.1089/ast.2009.0430|pmid=21294638|bibcode=2011AsBio..11...65B}}</ref> Though the absolute humidity is low, the relative humidity at night reaches 100% because of the large day / night swings in atmospheric pressure and temperature. |
A series of experiments by DLR (German aerospace company) in Mars simulation chambers and on the ISS show that some Earth life (Lichens and strains of chrooccocidiopsis, a green algae) can survive Mars surface conditions and photosynthesize and metabolize, slowly, in absence of any water at all. They could make use of the humidity of the Mars atmosphere.<ref name="dlrMarsStudy">[http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-3409/ Surviving the conditions on Mars] DLR, 26 April 2012</ref><ref name="sciencedirect.com">{{cite journal|url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1754504812000098 | doi=10.1016/j.funeco.2012.01.008 | volume=5 | issue=4 | title=Lichens as survivors in space and on Mars | year=2012 | journal=Fungal Ecology | pages=472–479 | last1 = de Vera | first1 = Jean-Pierre}}</ref><ref name="norlx51.nordita.org">R. de la Torre Noetzel, F.J. Sanchez Inigo, E. Rabbow, G. Horneck, J. P. de Vera, L.G. Sancho [http://norlx51.nordita.org/~brandenb/astrobiology/EANA2012/single_abstracts/Delatorre.pdf Survival of lichens to simulated Mars conditions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603191033/http://norlx51.nordita.org/~brandenb/astrobiology/EANA2012/single_abstracts/Delatorre.pdf |date=2013-06-03 }}</ref><ref name="Issue 1 2012, Pages 102">{{cite journal|url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063312002425 | doi=10.1016/j.pss.2012.08.005 | bibcode=2012P&SS...72..102S | volume=72 | issue=1 | title=The resistance of the lichen Circinaria gyrosa (nom. provis.) towards simulated Mars conditions—a model test for the survival capacity of an eukaryotic extremophile | year=2012 | journal=Planetary and Space Science | pages=102–110 | last1 = Sánchez | first1 = F.J.}}</ref><ref name="BilliViaggiu2011">{{cite journal|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles_Cockell/publication/49810974_Damage_escape_and_repair_in_dried_Chroococcidiopsis_spp._from_hot_and_cold_deserts_exposed_to_simulated_space_and_martian_conditions/links/0c960530543245cde9000000.pdf&hl=en&sa=T&oi=gsb-gga&ct=res&cd=1&ei=M2AqVeLzG-fq0AG5xYGACA&scisig=AAGBfm1aHrkKehQaYpPYGQ9mjRxVTxPS0Q|last1=Billi|first1=Daniela|last2=Viaggiu|first2=Emanuela|last3=Cockell|first3=Charles S.|last4=Rabbow|first4=Elke|last5=Horneck|first5=Gerda|last6=Onofri|first6=Silvano|title=Damage Escape and Repair in DriedChroococcidiopsisspp. from Hot and Cold Deserts Exposed to Simulated Space and Martian Conditions|journal=Astrobiology|volume=11|issue=1|year=2011|pages=65–73|issn=1531-1074|doi=10.1089/ast.2009.0430|pmid=21294638|bibcode=2011AsBio..11...65B}}</ref> Though the absolute humidity is low, the relative humidity at night reaches 100% because of the large day / night swings in atmospheric pressure and temperature. This is relevant to the search for native life on Mars and also to planetary protection, the need to protect Mars from Earth life if we wish to study native life in the habitats in its original state. |
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===Lichens relying on 100% night time humidity=== |
===Lichens relying on 100% night time humidity=== |
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