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An analysis of potential photosynthetic life on Mars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2006

John J. Sakon  and
Robert L. Burnap
John J. Sakon
Affiliation:
The College of William and Mary, Department of Physics, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA Department of Physics, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA e-mail: jjsakon@ncsu.edu
Robert L. Burnap
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA e-mail: jjsakon@ncsu.edu Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Abstract

This project researched the possibility of photosynthetic life on Mars. Cyanobacteria were used as potential analogs and were subjected to various Martian-simulated conditions. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was exposed to low pressure, ultraviolet radiation and Martian-simulated atmospheric composition, and proved resistant to the combination of these stresses. However, this organism could neither grow within Martian Regolith Simulant, owing to the lack of soluble nitrogen, nor could it grow in cold temperatures. As a result, later research focused on psychrotolerant cyanobacteria capable of utilizing atmospheric nitrogen. These Antarctic nitrogen-fixing strains were able to grow in Martian Regolith Simulant at temperatures as low as 4 °C. In addition, they proved resistant to salinity, ultraviolet radiation and freeze/thaw conditions. These results suggest that Antarctic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are good analogs for potential Martian life and should be considered in future exploratory missions for life on the red planet.

Keywords

astrobiologycyanobacteriaextraterrestrial lifeMarsnitrogen fixationphotosynthesis
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 171 - 180
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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