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The question then is, how does oxygen come into contact

May 29, 2018 by Catherine Pope

The question then is, how does oxygen come into contact with Mars' crust, and where does it come from?

“To understand this question we'll need to take a look at the chemistry of Mars' atmosphere through a microscope. But for the moment, we'll just be starting at the beginning. The chemistry of Mars' atmosphere is based on two fundamental concepts: an oxygen/water balance and a water/oxygen balance‡.

“The first two concepts are the most straightforward. Oxygen is the main source of all life on Mars. It's the gas that gets dissolved in water and is released by its surroundings by microbial life. When oxygen is dissolved, it is trapped underground or buried under rocks or ice, which can then evaporate into water or oxygen.

“The second concept is how oxygen and water interact in the Martian atmosphere. The chemistry of the surface of Mars is based on the water balance. The water is trapped by the Martian crust, so it's the water that is trapped. The oxygen is the more dissolved water that's absorbed by the mantle, which then gets trapped by the Martian ice under the surface.

“The idea of the atmosphere being the core of the Martian crust, rather than the crust itself, is what makes it so valuable. It's a huge part of the Martian atmosphere and is why it is a unique place. It's also where life actually comes from. The atmosphere is rich in carbon, oxygen and iron that's necessary for life to make the required proteins and make proteins with iron.

“The atmosphere holds the necessary oxygen at a temperature of -4 degrees Celsius, which is colder than that of the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere then stores carbon at that temperature to create all of the proteins and oxygen required for life to make proteins.

“When oxygen is dissolved, the water evaporates, forming a layer of ice. The process is called "aerobic respiration"‡. This is the amount of oxygen dissolved in a single drop. It's one more step in the process of making life on Mars.

“The idea of water, even at lower temperatures, is a fundamental concept. Water is not just another water molecule, but a large, complex molecule with many chemical and physical functions. It contains the elements, proteins, and oxygen, and can form complex life. So water is just a simple molecule that's a fundamental part of life on Mars. Water also plays an important role in the Martian atmosphere, as well as