How an Extremely Hostile Volcanic Lake Could Have Supported Life on Mars

According to a new study published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science, a few specialized bacteria can endure circumstances similar to those that existed throughout Mars' early past, which might be due to a variety of adaptations.

The hydrothermal crater lake of Costa Rica's Poás Volcano is one of the world's most inhospitable environments.

The water is ultra-acidic and tainted with dangerous metals, with temps ranging from pleasant to scorching. Recurring 'phreatic eruptions' also result in unexpected blasts of steam, ash, and rock. 

Ultra Acidic Water

(Photo : NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center)

Despite the dangers of such eruptions, hydrothermal conditions may have been the birthplace of life on Earth-and maybe also on Mars, if life existed there.

Studying these bacteria gives information about if and how life may have existed on Mars, in addition to determining how life might survive these severe environments.

"One of our important results is that we only identified a few species of microbes within this severe volcanic lake, despite a possible plethora of methods for them to live," explains first author Justin Wang in Phys.org, a doctoral student at the University of Colorado Boulder in Colorado.

"We think they achieve it by living on the rims of the lake when eruptions happen, which is when having a diverse set of genes comes in handy."

Related Article: Signs of Sustained Water Interaction Found in Mars' Jezero Crater

Compared to Previous Studies

This current interdisciplinary cooperation circles back to earlier work from 2013. Around then, the analysts observed only one microbial animal variety coming from the Acidiphilium variety in the Poás volcanic lake.

According to Daily Mail, these sort of microbes are ordinarily found in corrosive mine seepages and aqueous frameworks, and they are known to have various qualities adjusted to various environmental factors.

Before long, there was a progression of emissions. The group returned in 2017 to see whether there had been changes in the microbial variety, just as to concentrate on the living beings' biochemical cycles all the more thoroughly.

This most recent work shows that there was a smidgen greater biodiversity yet at the same time a predominance of the Acidiphilium microorganisms.

Extensive DNA sequencing of the life forms in the lake tests affirmed that the microorganisms had a wide assortment of biochemical abilities to assist them with enduring limit and dynamic conditions conceivably.

According to Biology Online, these included pathways to make energy utilizing sulfur, iron, arsenic, carbon fixation, both straightforward and complex sugars, and bioplastic granules (which microorganisms can make and use as energy and carbon save during pressure or starvation).

Working Systems

(Photo : Getty Images)

Hydrothermal systems offer most of the essential components for the evolution of life, including heat, water, and energy, despite the frequently fatal environment. The most popular explanations for both Earth and Mars center on these areas.

Previous efforts to find life on Mars have concentrated on streambeds or river deltas. Still, the authors recommend that areas of ancient hot springs should be given greater consideration, which were present on Mars for billions of years.

Also Read: Curiosity Rover Captures Stunning Cloud Formation on Mars

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