What non-biological explanation was ultimately settled upon for the positive Labeled Release (LR) results from the Viking landers?

Answer

Strong oxidizing agents in the Martian soil, such as perchlorates, mimicking biological reactions.

The Viking Labeled Release (LR) experiment showed positive results when radioactive gas was released after mixing Martian soil with a nutrient solution, suggesting consumption by living organisms. However, because other life-detection instruments returned negative results, scientists had to find an alternative explanation. The consensus reached was that strong chemical oxidizing agents were present in the Martian regolith. Substances like perchlorates are highly reactive and capable of breaking down the added nutrients in a manner that releases gas, effectively mimicking the metabolic action of microbes. This demonstrated the immense challenge of distinguishing true biological activity from powerful abiotic chemical processes when performing remote life detection.

What non-biological explanation was ultimately settled upon for the positive Labeled Release (LR) results from the Viking landers?

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