Lichens, cyanobacteria and molds growing in humidity of simulated Martian atmosphere: Difference between revisions
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==Lichens relying on 75% night time humidity to metabolize, photosynthesize, and develop new growth== |
==Lichens relying on 75% night time humidity to metabolize, photosynthesize, and develop new growth== |
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[[Image:Pleopsidium chlorophanum in Antarctica.jpg |thumb| |
[[Image:Pleopsidium chlorophanum in Antarctica.jpg |thumb|[[Pleopsidium chlorophanum]] on granite, collected at an altitude of 1492 m above sea level at "Black Ridge" in North Victoria Land, Antarctica. This photograph shows its semi-endolithic growth in Antarctic conditions. You can see that it has fragmented the granite, and that pieces of the granite are partly covering it, possibly helping to protect from UV light. Photograph credit DLR]] |
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[[Image:Pleopsidium chlorophanum.jpg|thumb|The same lichen showing its spreading habit in more usual conditions]] |
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Another study in 2014 by German aerospace DLR in a Mars simulation chamber used the lichen [[Pleopsidium chlorophanum]]. This lives in the most Mars like environmental conditions on Earth, at up to 2000 meters in Antarctica. It is able to cope with high UV, low temperatures and dryness. It is mainly found in cracks, where just a small amount of scattered light reaches it. This is probably adaptive behaviour to protect it from UV light and desiccation. It remains metabolically active in temperatures down to -20 C, and can absorb small amounts of liquid water in an environment with ice and snow.<ref name="DLRLichenHabitable"/> |
Another study in 2014 by German aerospace DLR in a Mars simulation chamber used the lichen [[Pleopsidium chlorophanum]]. This lives in the most Mars like environmental conditions on Earth, at up to 2000 meters in Antarctica. It is able to cope with high UV, low temperatures and dryness. It is mainly found in cracks, where just a small amount of scattered light reaches it. This is probably adaptive behaviour to protect it from UV light and desiccation. It remains metabolically active in temperatures down to -20 C, and can absorb small amounts of liquid water in an environment with ice and snow.<ref name="DLRLichenHabitable"/> |
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