Terraforming Mars (Essay Sample)

TERRAFORMING AND VIEWS ON TERRAFORMING MARS
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Terraforming is the process in which man transforms a hostile environment into an environment suitable for human life. Mars is a freezing planet that is unsuitable for the survival of any form of life. Terraforming Mars, therefore, means transforming its frozen, thin-aired surface into a more habitable and friendly environment. Mars is the best candidate planet for terraformation because it is earthlike. Also, scientists have discovered frozen water on its surface. There are three possibilities that can be used in Mars terraformation: Use of perfluorocarbons (PFCs), introducing bacteria and lichens that survive in Antarctica and by using nuclear power plants or diverting comets and meteors to Mars.
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) can be used to warm planet Mars because they are known to cause greenhouse effects. PFCs are man-made compounds that contain carbon and chlorine. When PFCs are excessively exposed to the environment, they cause the greenhouse effect. Scientists, who are exploring the possibility of terraforming Mars, take this as a probable initial step of Mars terraformation. They have suggested that PFCs can be synthesized from elements in Martian dirt and air and then they can be blown into the Mars atmosphere. In the Mars atmosphere, PFCs will trap the heat from the sun and raise the temperature of Mars. The carbon (IV) dioxide (CO2) that is frozen on its surface will also be released CITATION Kun101 \l 1033 (Kunzig, 2010). (CO2) released will further amplify warming the planet Mars and boost its atmospheric pressure to a point where the frozen water will melt, and liquid water will flow. The flowing water will increase atmospheric pressure making Mars a survivable place. However, at this level people will still need to use oxygen masks.
James Graham, a botanist at the University of Wisconsin, suggests that human colonialists can introduce a succession of ecosystems on the red rocks on the Mars surface. According to him, lichens and bacteria that survive in Antarctica can be introduced first and later mosses and redwoods can be introduced CITATION Her15 \l 1033 (Herkewitz, 2015). These microorganisms can transform the soil on the Mars surface and release the carbon (IV) oxide gasses trapped in it into the atmosphere. Eventually, these gas will boost the Mars thin atmosphere hence raising its temperatures and atmospheric pressure making it habitable for a broad range of life survival.
Use of nuclear power plants is another possibility that can help scientists in terraforming Mars. However, this option is likely to be extremely slow and expensive. As an alternative, some experts are suggesting diverting meteors and comets into the Mars orbit CITATION Mic10 \l 1033 (Kaku, 2010). The meteor or comet can finally land on the Mars surface, and as they decay and burn up, they will release water vapor into the Mars atmosphere. Also, the carbon (IV) dioxide gas trapped on the Mars surface will be released, and it will accelerate the rate at which Mars will warm up. Aft...