Water
Water is a chemical compound consisting of a single oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms (chemical symbols: H2O). Clean water is essential to almost all known forms of life, and its unique properties make it invaluable for most industrial processes. Although water in the liquid phase is abundant on Earth, its scarcity on Mars make it into a critical resource to be treasured.
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Contents
More sources of water
The Martian atmosphere contains a small percentage of water. With liquefaction technology the production of water should be able all over the planet's surface. An experimental setup is necessary to find out all about the viability of this approach.
Since the discovery of caves scientists believe in the possibility of water ice on the ground of the caves. Water ice is abundant under the ground atleast near the poles, and probably elsewhere too.
Usage
Drinking water
The human metabolism requires regularly the intake of fresh water. Since water is rare on Mars the recycling of all excretion is a must. There are two ways: Wastewater can be treated with technical means, which is partially done on the ISS already. Alternatively, the water can be kept in a natural cycle, using the greenhouses.
Industrial processes
Many industrial processes considered for a Mars settlement, in particular the production of methanol and methane, require hydrogen gas. This can be obtained by electrolysis, with oxygen gas as a byproduct.
Most other processes require the use of significant quantities of water as a solvent for reagents such as acids or ammonia.
Open issues
- What is known about the isotope ratio of Martian water?
- Is the higher deuterium portion a health risk?
- How will the excess deuterium be filtered out?
