A delicate desert moss, aptly named , has been discovered to possess an extraordinary ability to survive extreme conditions. It thrives in harsh environments across the globe, from the Mojave Desert to Antarctica. But a new study reveals its resilience extends far beyond these Earthly extremes.
Researchers subjected this moss to simulated Martian conditions for a week. The moss was exposed to an environment replicating the Martian atmosphere, including surface pressure, temperature fluctuations, gas composition, and intense radiation. Despite these harsh conditions, the moss remarkably bounced back, demonstrating its remarkable survival capabilities.
The study, published in the journal , found that this moss surpasses even the famously resilient tardigrades, commonly known as “water bears.” While tardigrades can survive the vacuum of space, this moss outperforms them in heat tolerance and radiation resistance.
In fact, the moss can endure up to 4,000 gray of ionizing radiation, while 4 gray is considered fatal for humans. For tardigrades, the lethal dose is 5,000 gray.
The researchers meticulously documented the moss’s resilience to various stressors. They first exposed samples to near-complete air-drying, causing them to shrivel and turn black. However, upon rehydration, the moss remarkably regained its vibrant green color within just 20 seconds.
After 99% dehydration followed by rehydration, the moss swiftly recovered its full photosynthetic capacity within two minutes. Furthermore, the moss exhibited extraordinary cold tolerance. Even after 30 days submerged in liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit (-196 degrees Celsius), it could recover and grow new branches. It could also survive for at least five years at -112 degrees Fahrenheit (-80 degrees Celsius).
The moss’s resilience extends to multiple stressors simultaneously. The researchers placed samples in the CAS Planetary Atmospheres Simulation Facility, which mimics the Martian atmosphere with its distinct pressure, temperature swings ranging from -76 degrees Fahrenheit (-60 degrees Celsius) to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), and hazardous radiation levels. After seven days in this Mars-like environment, the moss still recovered and grew new branches after returning to Earth-like conditions for 15 days.
These findings suggest that this remarkable moss could be instrumental in terraforming Mars. By introducing plants that can thrive in the harsh Martian environment, we could gradually transform its surface and atmosphere into something more Earth-like. The discovery of this resilient moss opens exciting possibilities for future space exploration and colonization endeavors.
