In the future, if people need to choose a planet outside the world as their homes, Mars stands out as one of the most attractive alternatives. Unlike the extreme temperatures of Venus, Mars has a solid surface, potential water resources and relatively reasonable environmental conditions.
However, there are too many difficulties to solve ahead to make the Red Planet a new home. In particular, the growth of plants that provide inhaled oxygen in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide of 95 %of Mars may be one of the first major steps to be taken in this direction.
A study points to a promising discovery in this direction. Researchers have revealed a living form that can survive in challenging conditions of Mars. This life form can be a turning point for people who want to colonize Mars in the future.
Licins: Excellent candidates who can survive in space
The lycins, which are the subject of the study team, consist of a symbiotic combination of a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria. These organisms are known for their resistance to a metabolic pause (anhydrobiosis) and hard UV rays under drought conditions. Licins have shown the ability to survive in many different and challenging ecosystems from the polar tundra of the Earth to the hot deserts. However, in this study, two different lichen species were tested in an environment that simulates the Mars conditions: Diploschistes Muscorum and Cetraria Aculeata.
During the experiment, these two types of Mars were subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations, X-ray radiation, low pressure and carbon dioxide-weighted atmosphere. The results have shown that Diploschistes Muscorum can maintain metabolic processes under these extreme conditions and enable defense mechanisms. However, it was found that Cetraria Aculeata was not as durable as expected against radiation.
The importance of the research and the effects of the future
Dr. Kaja Skubała pointed out the importance of the study and said: “This study is a first in terms of showing that the fungal components of lichen symbiosis can maintain their active metabolic processes even in an environment similar to Mars surface. This is an important progress in survival and livability on Mars.” Subała also stated that the lichen has a hydrate structure and showed the potential to survive by adapting to the challenging conditions of Mars, such as ionized radiation.
Although these findings are exciting, researchers underline that more deep studies are needed before the lichen was sent to Mars. The effects of long -term mars conditions on the lichen, which regions should be placed in the regions for the success of tasks, are still waiting for answers.
This groundbreaking study was published in Ima Fungus magazine and it can be said that Mars has significantly expanded our scientific knowledge of the livability potential of Mars.
