There Is Water on Mars, But Can We Drink It?

This planet appears devoid of life, with a brick red and extremely dry surface reminiscent of a desert. However, upon reaching one of its poles, you encounter an seemingly endless ice cap. So, if you have been envisioning Mars as an exceedingly dry place, it may be time to reconsider. Scientists believe that Mars might have harbored abundant water in the past. They base this hypothesis on the discovery of ancient river valley networks, lake beds, and minerals and rocks that could have only formed in liquid water. It is even possible that Mars experienced catastrophic floods 3.5 billion years ago.

Although Mars' atmosphere is too thin for water to exist in its liquid form on the surface, water can be found beneath the planet's surface, particularly in its polar regions. The north polar ice cap is the only visible location of this water. Additionally, small quantities of salty water flow down crater walls and hillsides, and there is some water vapor in the planet's atmosphere. Knowing that there is liquid water on Mars raises the question of whether we could utilize it during future human missions to the red planet. If we can access this water, it would significantly reduce the amount of water we need to transport from Earth, decreasing mission costs. Astronauts would simply need to bring equipment to filter and purify Martian water for consumption.

However, there are challenges to overcome. The main issue is that the water on Mars is salty, potentially as salty as Earth's oceans, but with different types of salts. Consuming these salts in certain amounts would be highly toxic to the human body. These salts are formed as byproducts of rocket fuel, as well as in road flares and fireworks on Earth. In naturally dry areas where there are no specific bacteria to break them down, these substances accumulate over time, increasing their concentration in water.

Nevertheless, in theory, it is possible to purify such water. Filtration processes could eliminate approximately 90% of harmful substances, followed by the use of UV disinfection units to remove any potential foreign microbes. These measures not only protect the astronauts but also prevent them from bringing dormant Martian microbes back to Earth.

In conclusion, future travelers to Mars should not face significant challenges in obtaining drinking water, as long as they bring the appropriate purification equipment capable of dealing with varying water quality. Running out of water in the middle of a desert on Earth is daunting enough, but experiencing it on another planet amplifies the level of terror.

Now, let's explore the possibility of finding water on other worlds within our solar system. One such place is Europa, one of Jupiter's largest moons. Astronomers consider Europa one of the most promising locations in the solar system to search for new life forms. It boasts a massive saltwater ocean estimated to have a depth of 40 to 100 miles, hidden beneath a layer of ice ranging from 10 to 20 miles thick. Plumes of water erupt from cracks in the ice shell, releasing the moon's ocean contents into space. There is also evidence of warm water radiating from Europa's equator, suggesting the potential for complex life.

Moving on to Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, this small celestial body has intrigued scientists since its discovery in 1789. Despite its size of just 310 miles in diameter, it is believed to harbor a warm and salty liquid ocean. Enceladus regularly emits watery eruptions from its ice geysers, releasing over a thousand tons of water mixed with organic molecules, salt, and other substances into space. The moon's ocean may owe its warmth to the tidal influence of Saturn, which causes hydrothermal activity, effectively warming the oceans.

There are other places in the solar system that show potential signs of water on their surfaces, although confirmation is still pending. Ganym