Since 1994, when the NASA began exploring Mars, scientists already had in mind sending humans to the red planet.
Currently, more and more space agencies from around the world and even private companies, such as Elon Musk's SpaceX, have even given dates for man's arrival in our galactic neighbor.
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However, one question still imposes itself strongly in this scenario: how will human beings sustain themselves on Mars?
This is because the planet's atmosphere poses serious challenges to sustaining human life there, as well as its soil, which is not rich in nutrients like that of Earth.
In this back and forth of theories and ideas, a group of scientists from Mahidol University, in Thailand, seems to have found an aquatic plant capable of providing oxygen food to human colonies eventually installed in Mars.
(Image: Wikipedia/reproduction)
Also known as Wolffia, Lemnia and water flour, duckweed is an aquatic plant that occurs throughout the world. In fact, it can be found in any body of water in the world. Amazon.
This plant, which is grain-shaped and green in color, reproduces sexually and asexually, generating plenty of oxygen in the water through its photosynthesis process.
Furthermore, Wolffia does not have leaves, stems or roots, which makes it even more suitable for cultivation in different locations.
In efforts to understand how plants behave in hypergravity environments, such as Mars, scientists from the Thai university carried out experiments with duckweed.
“We became interested in duckweed because we wanted to model how plants respond to changes in gravity levels,” explained researcher Tatpong Tulyananda, who led the study.
As a result, experts confirmed that duckweed can be used to promote oxygen generation systems, because of their photosynthesis, and also serve as food for astronauts.
“You consume 100% of the plant when you eat it, so it holds promise in terms of space-based agriculture.”, added Professor Tulyananda.
Another point mentioned by the researchers is the incredible resistance of duckweed, which does not spoil easily. Therefore, it would be ideal for transporting on long trips, such as the journey between Earth and Mars.
Graduated in History and Human Resources Technology. Passionate about writing, today he lives the dream of working professionally as a Web Content Writer, writing articles in several different niches and formats.