Scientists have made a stunning discovery that brings us closer than ever to the concept of a “green Mars” by discovering a desert moss species – Syntrichia caninervis – that could be a pioneer in colonizing the Red Planet. A paper was published in Innovation (Cell Press) Details this amazing plant’s ability to lose over 98% of its cellular water and fully regain its photosynthetic activity within two seconds of rehydration.The moss has been tested under “Mars-simulated” conditions, and is capable of surviving extreme temperatures as low as -196 degrees Celsius and receiving high doses of radiation, all of which would be lethal to the vast majority of organisms on Earth. someone pointed out Chinese Academy of Sciences As a result, this moss is classified as “extremely tolerant” and exhibits higher survivability than tardigrades, providing a biological model that could aid future terraforming efforts and generate sustainable oxygen on other planets.
This ‘dead’ plant comes back to life in 2 seconds after losing 98% of its water
Research has found that Syntrichia caninervis has an almost supernatural ability to survive complete dehydration. Research published in journal Innovation (Cell Press) Research shows that moss loses more than 98% of its cellular water and remains dormant for years. Amazingly, when re-exposed to moisture, the moss can “resurrect” and begin photosynthesis again within two seconds, making it an excellent plant for Mars’ arid, dusty conditions.
Survivability under extreme conditions
To test its capabilities, scientists placed the moss in a “Mars simulation” chamber containing 95% carbon dioxide, very low atmospheric pressure and very high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV). according to Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe moss survived in these conditions for 7 days before regrowing new green branches. The species’ survival rate in these conditions suggests that it has the potential to survive on Mars, where the atmosphere is so thin that humans cannot breathe, much better than any other known complex organism.
Defeating deep freeze and radiation
Moss tolerates extreme cold and radiation better than any other organism, including tardigrades. According to The Innovation magazine (Cell Press), the moss was stored at -196 degrees Celsius (in liquid nitrogen) and exposed to 5,000 Gy of radiation for 30 days. A radiation dose of just 5 to 10 Gy would normally be fatal to humans, but this moss can survive a staggering 5,000 Gy of radiation; thus, the moss is able to repair its DNA, making it a biopot capable of withstanding unshielded cosmic radiation in deep space.
Create soil for the future
Although moss cannot be eaten by humans, it may become a “pioneer species” for humans to grow food on Mars in the future. According to quoted experts research gateAs moss grows and then decays, it produces organic matter that mixes with sterile Martian sand (regolith), forming fertile soil over time, giving future colonists the opportunity to grow crops such as potatoes or oxygen-producing trees in greenhouses on Mars.
