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Salt Crevices Could Offer Haven for Martian Microbes
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In Short: Scientists propose that halite salt crystals on Mars could create tiny 'greenhouses' for microbial life, potentially allowing it to survive the planet's harsh conditions.
Tiny salt crevices on Mars could act as miniature 'greenhouses' for potential microbial life, according to a new study. Lead author Anna Bognar and her team at ELTE Eötvös Loránd University and the Konkoly Observatory suggest that halite (NaCl) salt crystals can contract by up to 1.6% between 150 K and 300 K, opening microscopic fractures and crevices that could provide a habitat for life.
During the Martian night, the planet's air cools and its relative humidity increases, allowing salts scattered across the surface to absorb some of this vapor through a process known as deliquescence. On the flip side, during the Martian day, temperatures warm up to 0℃ or even higher, creating conditions that could support microbial survival within these crevices.
Maybe it found a way to survive the Red Planet’s desiccation by hiding in salt crevices,' suggests the study, potentially offering a solution to how life could persist in such a harsh environment.
The authors' models indicate that these salt crevices could provide both the necessary moisture and temperature fluctuations required for microbial life, making them a promising area for future exploration and study of potential Martian life forms.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- Universe Todaylink