Lichens could survive Mars-like radiation, new research suggests

These lichens survived Mars-like radiation—and may one day thrive beyond Earth

Experiments show Earth lichens can endure harsh Martian conditions, opening new doors in astrobiology

Could life from Earth survive on Mars? While the red planet remains an unforgiving place with its toxic radiation, freezing temperatures, and thin CO₂-dominated atmosphere, scientists are finding that some of Earth’s hardiest organisms might just be up to the challenge.

A recent experiment led by botanist Kaja Skubała at the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences tested how two lichen species—Diploschistes muscorum and Cetrarea aculeata—respond to simulated Martian conditions, including ionizing radiation, and the results are astonishing. At least one of these resilient symbiotic organisms not only survived the experiment but emerged with minimal biological damage, even when metabolically active.

What makes lichens so tough?

Lichens are a symbiotic partnership between fungi and photosynthetic organisms like algae or cyanobacteria. Up to 90% of a lichen’s mass is fungal, but both components contribute to its unique extremophile abilities.

Lichens can:

• Survive in a desiccated state for long periods

• Resume metabolic activity quickly upon rehydration

• Use UV-screening metabolites and melanin pigments to protect against radiation

• Operate on minimal resources

These traits make them ideal candidates for astrobiological studies on Earth and beyond.

Testing life under Martian extremes

Skubała’s team set out to explore how lichens tolerate ionizing radiation—the most dangerous form of radiation likely to hit Mars, especially during solar flares. Unlike previous studies, this one tested lichens in a hydrated, metabolically active state, mimicking what would happen if lichens somehow managed to function on Mars’s surface.

For five hours, D. muscorum and C. aculeata were placed in a dark chamber replicating Mars’s environment:

• Low pressure and humidity

• An atmosphere made mostly of carbon dioxide

• Temperature cycling from 18°C (64°F) to –26°C (–14°F)

• X-ray radiation levels similar to those on Mars during periods of heightened solar activity

One lichen thrived, one struggled—but both survived

After exposure, the lichens were analyzed for chlorophyll fluorescence and oxidative stress, which indicate cellular damage.

Key findings:

• D. muscorum proved far more resilient, showing no decline in chlorophyll and low oxidative stress, meaning fewer reactive oxygen molecules damaged its cells.

• C. aculeata, while affected, bounced back quickly after freezing and thawing, regaining its photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll levels.

• Both lichens retained internal moisture, a crucial sign that their metabolic processes remained active during the simulation.

Remarkably, the fungal components—often overlooked in previous research—remained metabolically active and contributed to the lichens’ survival.

Why does this matter?

Martian radiation is often cited as a key barrier to life on Mars, but this study suggests that Earth-originating extremophiles like lichens might have the resilience to persist there—at least temporarily.

“X-rays associated with solar flares and SEPs reaching Mars should not affect the potential habitability of lichens on this planet,” the authors write in their study, published in IMA Fungus.

Moreover, some lichens may even produce oxygen through photosynthesis, potentially supporting their fungal partners’ metabolism in oxygen-poor environments.

A foundation for future Mars life research

While the study does not prove that lichens could colonize Mars independently, it raises intriguing possibilities for:

• Terraforming research

• Life-detection experiments

• Long-term exposure tests on Martian soil

“Our findings lay the foundation for future studies, including long-term exposure experiments on the Mars surface,” Skubała’s team concludes.

Still, scientists caution against over-optimism. Just because lichens can withstand Martian conditions doesn’t mean humans can. Unlike lichens, we lack natural defenses against ionizing radiation, and no antioxidant—like glutathione, which surged in D. muscorum—can fully shield us without technological support.

The red frontier—green with lichen?

Whether or not we ever intentionally send living organisms to Mars, lichens are proving to be a valuable model for extremophile survival and a fascinating window into the possibilities of life beyond Earth.

The next steps: longer exposure times, surface landing experiments, and deeper exploration into which lichen species are best suited for future astrobiological missions.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for cutting-edge reporting on space biology, planetary science, and the quest to understand life in the universe.