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Peroxides and the survivability of microorganisms on the surface of MarsThis paper discusses the possibility that any terrestrial microorganisms brought to Mars might survive the unhospitable environment of that planet, with special attention given to the effects of highly oxidizing material that is now known to cover the Martian surface. Data obtained by the gas exchange experiment on Viking indicate that, if all of the released oxygen is assumed to come from H2O2, the concentrations of H2O2 on Mars range from 25 to 250 ppm. Laboratory data indicate that certain soil bacteria are able to survive and grow to stationary phase at H2O2 concentrations as high as 30,000, indicating that, if there is H2O2 at the level of 250 ppm or even an order of magnitude greater on the Martian surface, this fact alone would not make the surface of Mars self-sterilizing.
Document ID
19890064156
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mancinelli, Rocco L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary Biology and Origins of Life, 20th, 21st, and 23rd, Espoo, Finland, July 18-29, 1988) Advances in Space Research
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
89A51527
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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