EVA-01 Sample Collection:
Introduction to Biology Experiments

The biology experimentation for this mission will focus on the role of geological context on microbial survival after exposure to UV radiation. UV radiation is often cited as a limiting factor for microbial survival on the Martian surface due to the absence of an ozone layer. Preliminary experimentation on halophilic (salt-loving) microbes indicate that cells growing in a high-salt (specifically NaCl or NaBr) environments may be shielded from oxidative damage after exposure to gamma radiation. These experiments will expose microbes found in high salt and low salt deposits in the Mars analog environment to UV-C radiation to see if this protective effect is extended into the UV range which can also produce some oxidative damages to cells. Samples will be collected on a series of EVAs from both high and low salt deposits around MDRS. EVA-2 was the first of these sample collection excursions.

EVA-01:

EVA-01 conducted was on foot to Phobos Peak together with Cassie (Geologist), John (XO), and Seth (Engineer). Five samples (1-5) were taken for biological analyses from a variety of water deposits. One sample (Sample 1) was an evaporate, and the rest non-salt samples. Two samples (6-7) were also taken from crew field trip to Dakota sandstone outcrop just off of highway 24 at mile marker 111, both of which were evaporate deposits. The samples were logged with GPS coordinates, photographs and physical descriptions of the surrounding geological context, and then weighed on return to the Hab (see info below). Additional samples will be taken in the following days and then processed (exposed to UV radiation and plated).

• Sample 1: 12s 0518717/4250587; evaporite crystals sitting on top of hard pack rocky ground
• Sample 2: 12s 0518723/4250586; red and purple topsoil (water activity)
• Sample 3: 12s 0518768/4250561; white vertical deposits
• Sample 4: 12s 0518850/4250543; green fluvial deposit taken from below outcrop
• Sample 5: 12s 0518540/4250669; fluvial deposit from vertical outcrop
• Sample 6: 12s 0516325/4246747; white material and crystals similar to Sample 1
• Sample 7: 12s 0516319/4246740; large crystals near Sample 6 without white material