Oxygen

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O 8
 
Oxygen

Abundance: 0.15% atmosphere 46,6% crust


Oxygen (periodic table symbol: O8) is a chemical element that can be found in the atmosphere and in most minerals on Mars. Almost half of the mass of the Martian crust is Oxygen, bound up in various minerals. Oxygen is created in stars from the fusion of Carbon and Helium. Oxygen has 8 protons and the most common isotope is oxygen 16. O17 and O18 exist and are stable.

Alga producing oxygen

Relevance for life

The metabolism of human beings, animals and various microbes depends on oxygen. The atmosphere of Mars contains only 0,15 % oxygen, which is not enough to support animal or human life.

Production

Oxygen can be produced in situ:

Uses

  • Propellant. Oxygen is often chosen as an oxidizer for chemical propulsion.
  • Atmospheric component. Standard atmosphere contains 21% Oxygen.
  • Chemical reagent

Related Articles

Oxygenlunarp on Lunarpedia.