New research shows that bacteria can help extract minerals from the moon and Mars.

Although in the process of space exploration, NASA has been trying to avoid bacterial infection. However, a new study recently published in Nature Communication shows a beautiful vision that some earth bacteria can help extract minerals from the surface of the moon and Mars. Experiments on the International Space Station show that a special bacterium named Sphingomonas is particularly good at extracting rare earth elements from basalt.

Research Map-1: Biorock Experimental Device (from Nature Communication)

It is reported that basalt is a kind of volcanic rock, which is often used to simulate the environment on the moon and Mars. The latest research shows that this kind of bacteria can play a good role in the standard gravity, microgravity and simulated gravity of Mars.

Research Map -2: Table of Bioleaching Rare Earth Elements

Looking ahead, scientists have envisaged many interesting application scenarios. For example, in the future interstellar journey, some types of bacteria can be used for food production or make full use of substances found on other planets.

Research Map -3: Effects of Microorganisms on Leaching of Rare Earth Elements

For example, the ProCerale area of the moon is rich in rare earth elements, and this biotechnology is expected to become a very promising direction for human beings to develop their extraterrestrial economy.

Finally, the details of this study have been published in the recently published journal Nature Communication. The original title is "Extraction of Rare Earth Elements under Microgravity and Mars Gravity by Space Station Biomining Experiment Demonstrator".