Scientists have discovered that some forms of microscopic fungi can survive the extreme conditions of the journey to Mars, raising new concerns about the risk of contamination of the red planet.
Although fungi have long been known for their resilience, a new study suggests that some of them could survive not only space, but also the surface of Mars.
The researchers tested fungal microorganisms in conditions that simulate ultraviolet radiation, extreme cold temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, and ionizing radiation – factors that typically destroy most life forms.
A spore that survived Martian conditions
The results showed that spores of a fungus called Aspergillus calidoustus managed to survive.
This fungus is known for its drug resistance and can cause serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant patients.
According to the researchers, this indicates that such microorganisms could "travel" to other planets and potentially become invasive species.
They even managed to survive in NASA's extremely sterile environments, known as cleanrooms - spaces designed to eliminate any form of microbial contamination.
Testing in space conditions
In the study, scientists analyzed fungal microorganisms collected from these sterile environments during preparation for the Mars 2020 mission, which brought the Perseverance rover to Mars.
They created reproductive spores from 27 species of fungi and exposed them to conditions similar to those of space and the Martian surface.
The spores of A. calidoustus proved to be among the most resistant, withstanding some of these extreme conditions.
"This result does not mean that contamination of Mars is inevitable, but it helps us better understand the risks to the survival of microorganisms," said study leader Kasthuri Venkateswaran from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Laboratory.
Only the combination of extremes destroys them.
The researchers found that only the combination of very low temperatures and high radiation was enough to destroy the fungus.
According to them, the survival of microorganisms depends on the interaction of many stress factors and not on a single element.
The study, published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, reinforces concerns about the need for strict planetary protection measures during space missions.
The danger to the search for extraterrestrial life
Experts warn that terrestrial microbes could be mistaken for extraterrestrial life, impacting scientific research.
There is also a risk that microorganisms could colonize life support equipment for astronauts, creating serious problems on long-duration missions.
Scientist Christopher Mason has previously pointed out that transporting microorganisms to other planets could have unpredictable consequences for new ecosystems.
Unknown microorganisms on Earth
In other studies, 26 previously unknown species of bacteria have been discovered in the sterile environments of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Analyses showed that these microorganisms have the ability to survive in extreme environments, including mechanisms for radiation resistance and DNA repair.
The findings highlight the need for even stricter controls on space missions to avoid any risk of interplanetary contamination. /GazetaExpress/
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