Creating Habitable Zones, at all Scales, from Planets to Mud Micro-Habitats, on Earth and on Mars |
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Authors: | Euan Nisbet Kevin Zahnle M V Gerasimov Jörn Helbert Ralf Jaumann Beda A Hofmann Karim Benzerara Frances Westall |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK;(2) NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA;(3) Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Science, Profsoyuznaya st., 84/32, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation;(4) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany;(5) Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, Bernastrasse 15, 3005 Bern, Switzerland;(6) Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés, UMR 7590 CNRS & IPGP, 140 rue de Lourmel, 75015 Paris, France;(7) Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans cedex 2, France |
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Abstract: | The factors that create a habitable planet are considered at all scales, from planetary inventories to micro-habitats in soft
sediments and intangibles such as habitat linkage. The possibility of habitability first comes about during accretion, as
a product of the processes of impact and volatile inventory history. To create habitability water is essential, not only for
life but to aid the continual tectonic reworking and erosion that supply key redox contrasts and biochemical substrates to
sustain habitability. Mud or soft sediment may be a biochemical prerequisite, to provide accessible substrate and protection.
Once life begins, the habitat is widened by the activity of life, both by its management of the greenhouse and by partitioning
reductants (e.g. dead organic matter) and oxidants (including waste products). Potential Martian habitats are discussed: by
comparison with Earth there are many potential environmental settings on Mars in which life may once have occurred, or may
even continue to exist. The long-term evolution of habitability in the Solar System is considered. |
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Keywords: | Mars Water Fluvial erosion Habitable surfaces Rock cycle |
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