Growing pile of garbage on Chile's Atacama Desert, called Earth's Mars, raised the concern of scientists

Posted on 28th Nov 2022 by rohit kumar

The growing pile of garbage on Chile's Atacama Desert, called Earth's Mars, has increased the concern of scientists. Researchers are not only worried about the damage caused to the environment due to the growing waste at this place, which is becoming an important link towards reaching Mars, but it is also at risk of destroying any information related to the study of Mars. The study of microorganisms that thrive in the atmosphere here is considered important in the search for life on Mars. Although the garbage that is here now can destroy the evidence of life from here.

 

desert drowning

Many countries are engaged in using the Atacama Desert as a dustbin. Many countries in America and Europe throw garbage here. Last year more than 46,000 tonnes of old clothes were dumped here. Apart from this, piles of old cars and tires are also scattered throughout this desert. These wastes are polluting the soil, air, and underground water.

 

Martian zone

NASA considers this region to have conditions similar to Mars. In 2017, the US space agency tested an early model of its rover at this site, which is currently searching for signs of life on Mars. The rover's drilling capabilities were tested in the desert itself, due to conditions similar to Mars.

 

Microorganisms present in the desert

The microbes were discovered by researchers in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth, where rainfall is rare and life is nearly impossible. This was considered important evidence in the direction of finding life on Mars. The Atacama Desert is located between the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. Its geographical position does not allow moisture to reach here. Researchers say that the flourishing of these organisms even in the absence of water, excessive solar radiation, and nutrients will prove to be an important link in the discovery of how life can be settled on Mars.

 

danger looms like this

Experts say that the desert is under serious threat from the piles of garbage dumped from all over the world. Pablo Guerrero, a researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, said that

 

The conditions here are very delicate as any change or reduction in rainfall and fog patterns has an immediate impact on the species living there.

 

Also Read: COP 27: Rich countries are not ready to give financial help for environmental improvement, conference extended by one day due to a lack of consensus

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