Potential for Aerobic Methanotrophic Metabolism on Mars

Observational evidence supports the presence of methane (CH4) in the martian atmosphere on the order of parts per billion by volume (ppbv). Here, we assess whether aerobic methanotrophy is a potentially viable metabolism in the martian upper regolith, by calculating metabolic energy gain rates under assumed conditions of martian surface temperature, pressure, and atmospheric composition. Using kinetic parameters for 19 terrestrial aerobic methanotrophic strains, we show that even under the imposed low temperature and pressure extremes (180-280 K and 6-11 hPa), methane oxidation by oxygen (O-2) should in principle be able to generate the minimum energy production rate required to support endogenous metabolism (i.e., cellular maintenance). Our results further indicate that the corresponding metabolic activity would be extremely low, with cell doubling times in excess of 4000 Earth years at the present-day ppbv-level CH4 mixing ratios in the atmosphere of Mars. Thus, while aerobic methanotrophic microorganisms similar to those found on Earth could theoretically maintain their vital functions, they are unlikely to constitute prolific members of hypothetical martian soil communities.