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EFE | THE PATRIA
According to a study by Nature, saline waters just below the surface of Mars could contain enough molecular oxygen to support the life of microbes and sponges. The Pasadena Institute of Technology in California, USA, recalls that oxygen is rare on the red planet, unlike the Earth, where aerobic life has evolved alongside photosynthesis to increase oxygen levels.
Previous studies had shown that the molecular oxygen present on this planet would not be able to sustain life, even if it was simple, for example that of sponges.
Vlada Stamenkovic (NASA) Pasadena calculated how much molecular oxygen could be found in solution in salt water under various pressures and temperatures, in different areas of the surface of Mars.
Molecular oxygen concentrations are particularly high in the polar regions of the red planet, whereas in some of these brines below the Martian surface they may contain enough oxygen to maintain aerobic life.
about 6.5% of all of Mars, either just below the surface or above, oxygen levels similar to those that allow life on Earth may exist.
The salinity of these systems makes the water remain in the liquid state, even when the temperature falls below freezing.
Oxygen
On March, the authors explain, oxygen appears only in small amounts also produced. by the decomposition of the carbon dioxide that causes light.
Other position
According to the researcher of the Spanish Center for Astrobiology (CAB), Alberto González Fairén, There are other factors, such as very low temperatures, radiation and high concentrations of salts, which do not allow to inhabit Mars
. absorb a certain concentration of oxygen, without calculating the other variables.
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