Oxygen

O	8
Oxygen

Abundance: 0.13% (atmosphere)

Oxygen (periodic table symbol: O⁸) is a chemical element that can be found in the atmosphere and in several minerals on Mars.

Biological significance

The metabolism of human beings, animals and various microbes depends on oxygen. The atmosphere of Mars contains only 0.2 % oxygen, which is not enough to support animal or human life.

Production

Oxygen can be produced

• in greenhouses by plants.
• by reduction of carbon dioxide from the martian atmosphere
• by reduction of oxide minerals
• by electrolysis of water