What role do photosynthetic microbes play in the long-term terraforming of Mars?
Answer
Converting carbon dioxide into oxygen over long periods
Once the atmospheric pressure on Mars is sufficient to support liquid water, the introduction of biological organisms is a required step. Photosynthetic microbes and algae are utilized to process the existing carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere, gradually converting it into oxygen over the course of centuries. This process is essential for eventually making the planet habitable for more complex life forms.
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