Scientists conducted a laboratory experiment to simulate Martian conditions. The lichens were able to survive the rarefied atmosphere of carbon dioxide and low temperatures for several hours. All this points to the possibility of their use during the early stages of terraforming.
Lichens
Scientists have conducted an experiment and verified in practice that terrestrial lichens can survive in the harsh conditions of Mars with its cold and lack of water and atmospheric oxygen. An article about this recently appeared in the journal IMA Fungus.
Lichens are not a single organism, but an entire symbiotic system made up of algae and fungi that work together. The first ones produce energy during the daylight hours. The second ones store it in the form of organic compounds.
In fact, the relationship between the two components of the lichen is even more complex. This makes this group of biological organisms one of the hardiest on Earth. Lichens can be found even in places where no plants can survive.
Lichen trials
But despite the well-known endurance of lichens, their viability in the very extreme Martian conditions was still a matter of debate. Especially regarding the hardiness of fungi that are part of the symbiotic system.
In the new study, the scientists tested two lichen species, Diploschistes muscorum and Cetraria aculeata. They were placed for five hours in an environment that resembled Mars in composition, pressure, temperature and X-rays.
And lichens were able to survive this test. This result is of great importance for the future colonization of the planet. After all, the creation of the first bases should be followed by the terraforming stage, and along the way, plants will have to be grown on the planet in order to oxygenate its atmosphere.
And at the first stage, it should not be cherries or even dandelions at all. We’ll have to look for something that can photosynthesize even in conditions that are not suitable for other living beings. And lichens look very promising in this regard.
According to phys.org
