Resource - Perchlorate
Description
Perchlorate salts such as magnesium perchlorate Mg(ClO4)2 is a powerful oxidizing agent. The salt is also a superior desiccant (drying agent) to dry gas or air samples for gas analysis. Perchlorates have been found on Mars. Being a drying agent, it retains water from the atmosphere and may release it when conditions are favorable and temperature is above 273 K. Briny solutions that contain salts such as magnesium perchlorate have a lower melting point than that of pure water. The abundance of perchlorate salts on Mars could support the theory that liquid aqueous solutions might exist on or below the surface, where temperature and pressure conditions would ordinarily cause the water to freeze. However, when irradiated with a simulated Martian UV flux, perchlorates become bacteriocidal. It ensures the low probability of survival of biological contaminants released from robotic and human exploration missions.
Characteristics
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Edible: | false |
| Type: | Chemical |
| Form: | Solid |
Made by Manufacturing Process
Version: pre-3.9.0 Generated on: 2024-12-28T22:56:23.2942481