Bengaluru Soil Bacteria Could Help Build Bricks on Mars: Study
The possibility of human settlement on Mars has been a topic of interest for scientists and space agencies around the world. However, one of the major challenges in establishing a human settlement on the Red Planet is the construction of infrastructure. The transportation of construction materials from Earth to Mars is a costly and logistically complex task. But what if we could use the Martian soil itself to build structures? A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has found that a soil bacterium discovered in Bengaluru could hold the key to building bricks on Mars.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, explores the potential of using microbes to bind Martian soil into strong bricks. The researchers used a soil bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is commonly found in Bengaluru soil. This bacterium has the ability to produce calcite, a natural cement that can bind soil particles together. The researchers hypothesized that this bacterium could be used to create strong bricks from Martian soil, reducing the need to transport construction materials from Earth.
The Martian soil, also known as regolith, is a complex mixture of minerals, rocks, and dust. It is rich in perchlorates, which are toxic to many microorganisms. However, the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium is tolerant to perchlorates and can thrive in Martian-like conditions. The researchers created a simulated Martian soil using a mixture of silica, alumina, and iron oxide, and then added the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium to it.
The results were promising. The bacterium was able to produce calcite, which bound the soil particles together, creating a strong and stable brick-like structure. The bricks were found to have a compressive strength of up to 50 MPa, which is comparable to that of regular bricks used on Earth. The researchers also found that the bricks were resistant to heat and radiation, making them suitable for use on the Martian surface.
The use of microbes to build bricks on Mars has several advantages. Firstly, it reduces the need to transport construction materials from Earth, which is a costly and logistically complex task. Secondly, it uses local resources, which are abundant and readily available. Thirdly, it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, as it uses natural processes to create building materials.
The study has significant implications for future human missions to Mars. The ability to build structures using local resources could enable the establishment of permanent human settlements on the Red Planet. It could also facilitate the construction of landing pads, habitats, and other infrastructure necessary for human exploration and settlement.
The researchers are now planning to conduct further studies to optimize the brick-making process and to explore the use of other microbes that can thrive in Martian-like conditions. They are also collaborating with ISRO and other space agencies to develop a scalable and reliable method for producing bricks on Mars.
In conclusion, the discovery of a soil bacterium in Bengaluru that can help build bricks on Mars is a significant breakthrough in the field of space exploration. The use of microbes to bind Martian soil into strong bricks has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach construction on the Red Planet. As we continue to explore and settle other planets, the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies will be crucial. This study is an important step in that direction, and it highlights the potential of Indian scientists and researchers to contribute to the global effort to explore and settle other planets.
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