NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Response of terrestrial microorganisms to a simulated Martian environmentSoil samples from Cape Canaveral were subjected to a simulated Martian environment and assayed periodically over 45 days to determine the effect of various environmental parameters on bacterial populations. The simulated environment was based on the most recent available data, prior to the Viking spacecraft, describing Martian conditions and consisted of a pressure of 7 millibars, an atmosphere of 99.9% CO2 and 0.1% O2, a freeze-thaw cycle of -65 C for 16 h and 24 C for 8 h, and variable moisture and nutrients. Reduced pressure had a significant effect, reducing growth under these conditions. Slight variations in gaseous composition of the simulated atmosphere had negligible effect on growth. The freeze-thaw cycle did not inhibit growth, but did result in a slower rate of decline after growth had occurred. Dry samples exhibited no change during the 45-day experiment, indicating that the simulated Martian environment was not toxic to bacterial populations. Psychrotrophic organisms responded more favorably to this environment than mesophiles, although both types exhibited increases of approximately 3 logs in 7 to 14 days when moisture and nutrients were available.
Document ID
19780069715
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Foster, T. L.
(Hardin-Simmons Univ. Abilene, TX, United States)
Winans, L., Jr.
(Hardin-Simmons Univ. Abilene, TX, United States)
Casey, R. C.
(Hardin-Simmons Univ. Abilene, TX, United States)
Kirschner, L. E.
(Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Volume: 35
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
78A53624
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-44-095-001
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available