Astrobiologists found that Mars’s subsoil can support microbial life, providing its energy and all the necessary substances. This is reported in the article published in the Astrobiology journal, briefly about the study describes the press release on Phys.org.
Experts analyzed the chemical composition of meteorites, which broke away from the surface of Mars and fell on Earth. It turned out that these breeds, if they constantly contact with water, will be able to produce side compounds that are important for the vital activity of microorganisms similar to those inhabit the depths of the earth unlited by the sun. The data suggest that most of the subsoil of the Red Planet is potentially suitable for habitat of living beings.
In the course of one of the possible reactions – radiolization – radioactive elements in the rocks are reacted with water, which at the same time decays to hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen dissolves in the remaining soil waters, while minerals, such as pyrite, absorb free oxygen, forming sulphate minerals. Microbes can absorb dissolved hydrogen as fuel and use oxygen stored in sulfates for “burning” of this fuel.
The study showed that in several different types of Martian meteorites there are radioactive elements, such as thorium, uranium and potassium, as well as sulfide minerals, which can be converted to sulfates, and rocks with sufficient porous space for water trapping. This confirmed that on Mars, perhaps there are conditions suitable for the existence of life.
It is known that in the past on Mars there was an active underground water system, and there is reason to believe that groundwater exists today.