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Understanding the presence of viable bacteria and methane in Antarctic permafrost is crucial for assessing the potential for life on Mars, as it provides insights into the conditions that may support microbial life in extreme environments. This study successfully identified viable bacteria and significant methane production in ancient Antarctic permafrost, revealing high ice content and suggesting that similar conditions may exist on Mars, potentially harboring remnants of past life.
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This research was supported by grants of the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation.
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Friedmann, E.I., Gilichinsky, A.D., Wilson, G.S. et al. Viable bacteria, methane and high ice content in antarctic permafrost: Relevance to Mars. Origins Life Evol Biosphere 26, 303 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02459773
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02459773
