27-24 A.S.A.S.P.H Astro Soil Alteration Substation Plant Horticulture

Session: Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Posters)

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

Introduction

Establishing robust plant cultivation on Mars demands an integrated strategy to overcome native regolith’s instability, the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere, and the lack of a self-renewing soil microbiome. Astro Soil Alteration Substation Plant Horticulture (A.S.A.S.P.H.) began as a basic concept: engineer a universal growth medium. It has since evolved into a comprehensive framework for kick-starting terrestrial plant life on Mars. This closed-loop system is critical for establishing adaptive ecosystems that evolve with minimal external input.

A.S.A.S.P.H. addresses three core challenges: stabilizing regolith to prevent cracking and toxic release, harnessing algal bioreactors for atmospheric control, and deploying “battle plants” to detoxify and enrich substrate. By integrating these elements within expandable habitat modules, we aim to transform inert regolith into a self-supporting agricultural system for human expansion and large-scale terraforming. Future efforts employ microbial consortia to accelerate soil development.

Background

Achieving a self-sustaining Martian agriculture hinges on overcoming regolith’s physical and chemical constraints and the planet’s sparse atmosphere. A.S.A.S.P.H. integrates regolith stabilization, algal bioprocessing, and plant-mediated detoxification into a closed cultivation cycle.

Objectives

1.Stabilize Martian regolith to prevent fissuring, toxin release, and moisture loss.

2. Optimize algal growth to consume CO₂ and produce O₂.

3.Leverage “battle plants” to biologically detoxify and enrich regolith across sequential cycles.

Methods

Regolith simulant trials blended Martian analog with terrestrial sand, fine gravel, and minimal clay binder to form a resilient, moisture-retaining matrix. Green algae were cultured in sealed containers at a 1 gallon water : 1 tablespoon inoculum ratio under mild carbonation, reaching peak biomass in 14 days. Effluent dosing (≤ 0.25 cup per bed, two weeks pre-sowing) boosted gas exchange without phytotoxicity. Pre-germination hyperaccumulator species were then planted; post-harvest in situ decomposition enhanced microbial activity and detoxified residual toxins.

Results

The clay-like regolith analog retained > 80 % moisture over 10 days under simulated Martian diurnal cycles. Algal bioreactors increased dissolved O₂ by 40 % and reduced CO₂ by 30 % in closed chambers. Sequential plant cycles showed declining heavy-metal bioavailability and rising organic matter, confirming battle-plant efficacy.

Conclusion

By synchronizing regolith stabilization, controlled algal gas exchange, and iterative plant-driven remediation, A.S.A.S.P.H. offers a scalable pathway for Martian soil transformation. Within expandable habitat modules, this system can initiate sustainable crop production and pave the way for large-scale terraforming.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-6159

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