The surface of Mars is even more dangerous than we are used to thinking

When the spacecraft goes to Mars, it must be carefully sterilized, so that by chance he does not take with him earthly life. After all, no one wants to pollute the surface of the Red Planet with the inhabitants of the Earth and, perhaps, make a false discovery in the future.

Aggressive medium of the Martian surface

However, scientists in the new study make an intriguing assumption. Jennifer Wadsworth and Charles Cockell of the University of Edinburgh say that even if such pollution occurs, the surface of Mars in principle will not allow any cells to survive. This suggests that the pollution of spacecraft may not be such a big problem.

What is perchlorate?

In their study, scientists found that on the surface of Mars, sunlight can activate a compound called perchlorate. In the active state, this compound is dangerous for bacteria, and it is very much on Mars. It used to be believed that perchlorate is activated by heat, and since Mars is very cold, this should not be feared.

"Previously, scientists thought that perchlorate can not be activated in Martian conditions," Wadsworth told IFLScience. "If we want to find life on Mars, we must take this into account."

Laboratory research

The scientists made their conclusions, modeling the Martian environment in the laboratory. Using an anaerobic chamber in which there is no oxygen, they recreated the wavelengths of sunlight on the surface of Mars. Then, scientists controlled the effect of perchlorates in this state on the total contamination found on the Bacillus subtilis spacecraft.

In conditions similar to Martian, the cells died within a few minutes under the condition of perchlorate activation. This indicates that the surface of Mars is even more toxic to life than previously assumed by scientists.

"We still do not know much about the deadly conditions of the Martian environment," Wadsworth said. - Probably the biggest problem for life will be a high flow of ionizing radiation, which penetrates through a thin atmosphere and reaches the surface of the Red Planet. In addition, our studies show that some molecules on the surface can be very toxic. "

Sterilization of space vehicles

Returning to the beginning of our conversation, does this mean that there is no need to worry about the sterilization of space vehicles that go to Mars? Now scientists do not even have the opportunity to explore some regions of the planet, called special regions, because they do not have the technical ability to sterilize spacecraft in a sufficiently high degree to avoid the risk of infection.

It is not that simple. Scientists who conducted the study, note that some life forms, called extremophiles, are able to survive in extreme conditions. Bacteria that were tested during the study were not extremophiles. Thus, scientists still do not know if extremophiles can survive on the surface of Mars.

"It is very important to continue to take all precautions so as not to pollute Mars," the scientists say. "We must take as many precautions as possible to disinfect all instruments on Earth before launching the spacecraft."

Where to find the Martian life

As for the very Martian life, do not be discouraged. Although it is unlikely that any life - microbial or any other - can survive on the surface of Mars, underground life still seems like a good chance. Here, living organisms can be protected not only from radiation, but also from active perchlorates.

Scientists do not yet know how far perchlorates can penetrate. But it is likely that a few meters below the surface life can exist. More information can be obtained in 2021, when the drilling European apparatus ExoMars finally touches Mars. Enough sterilized, of course.