ausblenden:
Schlagwörter:
Astrobiology
Astrochemistry
Extremophiles
In situ resource utilization
Mars
Zusammenfassung:
The discovery of perchlorate in martian regolith, ubiquitously distributed at levels far exceeding those noted on
Earth, raises challenges for in situ resource utilization and life-supporting systems. However, this challenge can be
overcome by organisms with extreme tolerance to various stressors, characterization of the mechanisms supporting
such features, and their subsequent employment in biological systems using genetic engineering and
synthetic biology. Using such organisms could be an excellent complement to the physical and chemical technologies
of perchlorate removal. Here, we review the research devoted to perchlorates on Mars, their types,
spatial variability, age, and production mechanisms. We also characterize the perchlorate toxicity and the organisms
(photosynthetic and chemoautotrophic bacteria as well as heterotrophic microorganisms and microinvertebrates)
evidenced to withstand exposure to high perchlorate concentrations. The mechanisms behind this
tolerance are also discussed in the context of future research prospects and their use in Mars exploration.
