The Effects of Perchlorate on Chr20 Extremophile Bacteria Growth in Martian Simulant and Regolith
Harandi, Bijan
2023
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This thesis investigates the effects of perchlorate (ClO4-) salt on halophilic cyanobacteria extremophile Chr20 growth in Martian simulant and regolith, specifically MMS (Mojave Mars Simulant) and sawdust from the EETA79001 meteorite respectively. This extremophile, given its genetic similarity to Gloeocapsa sp, has been the subject of much study in regard to its potential to survive on Mars, which ... read moreis rich in perchlorate salts, in addition to what it can tell us about its potentially past or present life. Utilizing Eucapsis as a control for cyanobacterial organisms, data implies that overall, there is a trend with higher ClO4- presences and lack of growth regarding both Eucapsis and Chr20, rendering it bactericidal as much speculation has indicated. However, it is important to note that Chr20 while not exhibiting ideal growth, was able to sustain and resist moderate ClO4- levels found on the Martian surface thought to be completely incompatible with sustaining life. This was done through subjecting Chr20 to varying periods of time, volumes of water, and ClO4-concentrations in the presence of either Martian simulant or regolith, thus mimicking Martian surface conditions and observing growth. The outcomes of this study give astrobiologists more clues as to what to what to look for, and more precisely where to look on Mars when searching for life and contributes to the internal debate in the astrobiology community regarding what perchlorate’s presence means for potential past of present life on Mars.
Thesis (B.S.)--Tufts University, 2023.
Submitted to the Dept. of Biology.read less - ID:
- dn39xh05d
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