Detection of atmospheric hydrogen chloride calls life on Mars into question - scientist
MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - The detection of hydrogen chloride in the Martian atmosphere by Russia's spectrometer calls into question the possible existence of life forms on the planet, leading research fellow from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Natan Eismont told Interfax.
"There are certain life forms, which are not usual, understandable or expected, but such life forms are not ruled out by modern biology nonetheless. So, clearly, the presence of hydrogen chloride probably curbs our enthusiasm about the existence of the life forms as we imagine them on the Earth, but there might still be life forms of other kinds," Eismont said.
The presence of hydrogen chloride in the atmosphere will not be an impediment to research if a manned expedition to Mars is eventually accomplished, he said.
"At first glance, there should be no impediments, considering that this is the question of concentrations. The concentration there does not arise any serious concerns. It can hardly hinder the research, that's for sure," the scientist said.
This is not an anticipated discovery, Eismont said. "Of course, this is a discovery in the real sense of the word; we have not expected it to happen," he said.
The Space Research Institute said earlier that the Russian spectrometer installed in the ExoMars research vehicle had detected the presence of hydrogen chloride in the Martian atmosphere.
"Hydrogen chloride has been found in the Martian atmosphere by direct measurements for the first time. The discovery has been made by Russia's spectrometer, Atmospheric Chemistry Suite, of the Trace Gas Orbiter of the Russian-European project ExoMars 2016," the report said.
It noted that hydrogen chloride was detected in the atmosphere in the midst of a global dust storm and gradually disappeared after the storm subsided. The discovery leads to the review of chemical reaction models in the interaction between the Martian surface and atmosphere.
