Study Suggests Mars Salt ‘Perchlorate' Could Be Both Gift And Threat To Humans

Mars salt is a crucial component of solid rocket propellants that enables the water to remain in a liquid form, in spite of the atmospheric pressure at the planet's surface. Initially discovered by NASA's Phoenix lander in 2009 all over the Martian surface, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter later found a very high concentration of the salt within the recurring slope lineae - the planet's surface features that were formed from the considerable recent flow of water. With such finding, the mystery behind Martian water becoming liquid to modify the landscape has been solved.

The Mars salt, which is called perchlorate is abundant on the planet, in fact, based on research, 10,000 times richer in the Martian dirt compared to the sands and soils of Earth. However, while this may appear to be positive, given the helpful properties of perchlorate, there is also one less important side of it.

Mars salt perchlorate is a negative ion, that forms different salts, but it has some harmful health effects. According to research, potassium perchlorate is being used as a drug therapy for particular types of hyperthyroidism. However, exposure to an environmental perchlorate can lead to hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid.

In addition to this, the energy and oxygen found in perchlorate are believed to most likely become a source of energy on the red planet - for rocket propulsion and for producing electricity. The chief propellant in the solid rocket boosters of NASA space shuttles from 1981 to 2011 was ammonium perchlorate.  Based on previous studies, the early human landings and even Mars colonization will be dependent on the resources found on Mars in order to fuel the spacecraft that will carry the humans between the orbit and the Martian surface, where they are going to connect with the bigger ships to conduct the planetary exploration, according to NASA Spaceflight.

Though Mars salt perchlorate's high concentrations will keep water in liquid state, it is toxic to drink and will not support microbial life. It has also been associated with agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. Both conditions are marked with life-threatening deficiency of blood cells, according to the official NASA website.