"A global research team has analyzed the prospects for biomineralization on Mars, a process in which bacteria, fungi, and microalgae can create minerals as part of their metabolism, offering a byproduct that could be useful to prospective Martian explorers by providing the raw materials needed to produce aggregates such as concrete. With an extremely thin and mostly carbon dioxide atmosphere, air pressure less than 1 percent of Earth's,"
"The researchers propose a system in which the two organisms work together. Chroococcidiopsis releases oxygen, which helps support Sporosarcina pasteurii and produces an extracellular polymeric substance that can protect the latter bacteria from damaging UV radiation on Mars. Meanwhile, Sporosarcina produces polymers that help create minerals the authors think might be able to bind the Martian soil - regolith - to produce a material similar to concrete."
Mars has an extremely thin, mostly carbon dioxide atmosphere, air pressure less than 1 percent of Earth's, and temperatures ranging from -90°C to 26°C, yet some terrestrial microorganisms thrive in Earth's acidic lakes, volcanic soils, and deep caves. Biomineralization by bacteria, fungi, and microalgae could create minerals as metabolic byproducts that serve as raw materials to produce aggregates like concrete from Martian regolith. A proposed microbial partnership uses Chroococcidiopsis to release oxygen and form extracellular polymers that shield partners from UV, while Sporosarcina pasteurii precipitates calcium carbonate from urea and creates binding polymers. Resulting aggregates could be 3D-printed into habitats, supply oxygen and ammonia, but regolith analysis and returned samples are needed to validate feasibility.
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