Tag

Perchlorate

All articles tagged with #perchlorate

space2 months ago•80 min saved

Mars bricks by bacteria: perchlorate helps turn dust into habitat material

New IISc-led research shows the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii can form stronger brick-like material from Martian regolith simulant when perchlorate—an actual Mars soil toxin—is present, thanks to enhanced extracellular matrix production that binds calcium carbonate crystals into cemented bricks; this biocementation could enable in-situ resource utilization for Mars habitats, with tests planned in CO2-rich Martian-like air and findings published in PLOS One.

via Space|

#biocementation #insitu-resource-utilization #mars

space2 months ago•4 min saved

Electric Dust Storms Forge Perchlorates on Mars, Rewriting Surface Chemistry

A new study argues that Martian dust storms generate electrostatic discharges that create high-energy electrons, driving reactions between atmospheric CO2 and ground chloride salts to form perchlorates and carbonates without liquid water. This electrochemical pathway also explains the observed isotopic imbalances, with lighter isotopes preferentially involved in these reactions. The research, demonstrated in lab chambers simulating Mars’ environment, suggests electrical processes are a key driver of Mars’ surface chemistry, poses ongoing challenges for future missions (due to perchlorates), and may have parallels on other dusty worlds.

via Universe Today|

#dust-storms #electrochemistry #isotopes