Development of Martian saline seep models and their implications for planetary protection.

ABSTRACT: While life on Mars has not been found, Earth-based microorganisms may contaminate the Red Planet during rover expeditions and human exploration. Due to the survival advantages conferred by the biofilm morphology to microorganisms, such as resistance to UV and osmotic stress, biofilms are particularly concerning from a planetary protection perspective. Modeling and data from the NASA Phoenix mission indicate that temporary liquid water might exist on Mars in the form of high salinity brines. These brines could provide colonization opportunities for terrestrial microorganisms brought by spacecraft or humans. To begin testing for potential establishment of microbes, results are presented from a simplified laboratory model of a Martian saline seep inoculated with sediment from Hailstone Basin,

SUBMITTER: Mettler MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10209689 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature