User:Robertinventor/Simple animals could live in Martian brines - Extended Interview with planetary scientist Vlada Stamenković: Difference between revisions
User:Robertinventor/Simple animals could live in Martian brines - Extended Interview with planetary scientist Vlada Stamenković (edit)
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There is indirect evidence for other salty brines on Mars, perhaps more habitable than the Curiosity brines. In their paper, Stamenković et al. mention the hydrated magnesium and calcium salts associated with the Recurring Slope Lineae. These seasonal streaks form in spring on sun facing slopes, extend and broaden through the summer and fade away in autumn. The streaks themselves are not damp patches, but they may be associated with thin seeps of brine just below the surface. Later research suggests dust flows may also be involved. However the hydrated perchlorate salts observation still has to be explained, as well as the seasonal timing, not correlated with the winds. This is considered to be good evidence that there is at least an element of seasonal hydration associated with the streaks. The literature on this topic has a vigorous dialog between researchers who favour greater or lesser elements of brines in this process.
[[Image:Martian conditions in miniature (7494313830) (2).jpg|thumb|Experiments by DLR (German aerospace company) in Mars simulation chambers and on the ISS show that some lichens such as {{w|Pleopsidium chlorophanum}} can survive Mars surface conditions and photosynthesize and metabolize, slowly, using only the humidity of the Mars atmosphere. The algal component provides oxygen for the fungal component, giving a way for multicellular life to survive without any oxgyen on Mars]]
Before these new results, scientists assumed any present day Martian life would be able to grow without oxygen. There are several possibilities for this, based on Mars simulation experiments. Martian life could include certain blue-green algae such as {{w|Chroococcidiopsis#Mars colonization|chroococcidiopsis}}, some black fungi, and some purple salt loving {{w|Haloarchaea#As exophiles|haloarchaea}} found in salt ponds and hypersaline lakes on Earth. <!--for the black fungi, Zakharova et al paper in background information-->. Some lichens such as {{w|Pleopsidium chlorophanum}} also have some potential for surviving in Mars surface conditions without oxygen. They can do this because the algal component is able to make the oxygen needed by its fungal component.
However oxygen rich brines would permit a more energy intensive metabolism and perhaps even true multicellular animal life such as simple sponges. Almost all complex multicellular life uses oxygen.
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