Desert-dwelling bacteria that feed on sunlight, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen could be incorporated into the paint that complements the air in the Martian habitat. is called Chroococcidiopsis cubanaand scientists have developed a biocoating that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the air around it while releasing measurable amounts of oxygen every day. This has implications not only for space travel, but also on Earth, according to a team led by microbiologist Simona Krings from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

“With the increase in the amount of greenhouse gases, especially CO₂Bacteriologist Susie Hingley-Wilson from the University of Surrey says we need innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable materials due to concerns about water scarcity from the atmosphere and global warming.

“Mechanically strong, ready-to-use biocoatings, or ‘living dyes,’ can help overcome these challenges by reducing water consumption in typically water-intensive bioreactor-based processes.”

Chroococcidiopsis It is a strange little animal species. If there is a place on Earth that you think is devoid of life, you will most likely find some form of this bacteria there. It uses a strange form of photosynthesis that can make the most of extremely low light conditions, with a spare survival mechanism for even darker places. It was found in the impenetrable darkness of ultra-deep caves and in the lower crust of the earth beneath the ocean floor.

Chroococcidiopsis cubana Sometimes it lives in deserts, in conditions unlike those on Mars. And like other cyanobacteria, its metabolism has some desirable features. Bacteria absorb CO ₂ which it captures to convert into organic compounds through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as part of the process.

Krings and his team wanted to develop a biological coating that took advantage of these properties. This is a paint-like coating layered with live bacteria. It should be durable and should not contain substances that could harm the bacteria inside.

This is more complex than it seems: The biocoating matrix must be porous to allow hydration and transport of cells, but mechanically strong and rigid. The team developed a method to mix latex with nanoclay particles, achieving these properties while safely encapsulating bacteria.

The next step was to make sure the paint was working properly and that the tiny microbes inside were living happy little lives. The team monitored the coating for 30 days, measuring oxygen output and CO input ₂ .

They found that the dye consistently released up to 0.4 grams of oxygen per gram of biomass per day, and that this rate remained constant throughout the month. That’s up to 400 grams (14 ounces) of oxygen for every kilogram (35 ounces) of paint. Also the paint absorbed CO ₂ . The researchers named their discovery Green Living Paint.

This result would probably not be sufficient for a habitat on Mars; A group of astronauts living on Mars for a year would need approximately 500 metric tons of oxygen; but the small amount of oxygen available locally on the Red Planet will reduce the amount of oxygen space missions need to send there via spacecraft.

“Photosynthesis Chroococcidiopsis It has a remarkable ability to survive extreme conditions such as drought and high levels of UV radiation,” says Krings. “This makes them potential candidates for the colonization of Mars.”