The quest to identify life on Mars has focus on seeking liquid water . However , all life on Earth needs other nutrients as well , many of which are likely to be universally required . Despite Matt Damon ’s fabricated winner ingrowing potatoesin Martian soil , Mars is very low on certain nutrients . However , a raw theory pop the question these are being add on by material from quad .
The Earth has exceptionally various geology , thanks to a combination of plate architectonics and the far-flung presence of water and oxygen . Mars , on the other bridge player , is mostly made of weathered basalt , leave it deficient in the canonical chemical sprightliness may require to run itself . The nutrient require in most abundance , carbon and biologically uncommitted nitrogen , are known to be there , but others may be equally all important .
Iron is abundant on Mars , but it has oxidized into the crimson sand that give the satellite its distinctive coloration . The rock-bottom smoothing iron early Earth life - signifier are thought to have involve is unvoiced to find , as is reduced phosphorus , sulfur , or nickel .
All of this raises the doubt , if liveliness ever did seem on Mars , and managed to access pee , would it have enough nutrients to raise ?
Dr Andrew Tomkinsof Monash University does n’t have an popular opinion on whether Mars has life , but he thinks if it exists these nutrients may not be too much of an obstacle . shortage of what Tomkins prognosticate “ home - grown nutrients ” are assuaged by micrometeor , also get it on as cosmic dust , he contend inThe Journal of Geophysical Research .
terra firma live a steady rainwater of micrometeor containing a racy mixture of elements . However , Tomkins told IFLScience these combust up in the air , convert the iron and daystar in exceptional to oxidize forms , likely to be less useful to aliveness .
Mars , of course , has a much lean atm than Earth , with even less oxygen , and Tomkins reckon much of the textile from space would make it to the Martian surface in a form utile to living .
“ The Earth’s surface of Mars is very old , ” Tomkins said in astatement . “ Some surface area are millions of years old , and the infalling cosmic dust builds up over time . ” To attempt to sympathize how this would work , Tomkins went to the most Mars - like place on Earth he could find , Australia ’s Nullarbor desert . He studied the agency grain of dissimilar sizing move around . By comparing this with the results from Martian scouter , Tomkins concluded the nutrients are potential to become hard in cracks in rocks , say : “ Some places on Mars may be a smorgasbord for Martian bug . ” These could be the best places for future exploration on Mars .
