Making Lunar Soil Usable

[Fraser]

Based on what we currently know about the makeup of the lunar regolith, future colonists on the moon will not be able to use the soil on hand to grow food. But in a new experiment, bacteria called cyanobacteria grew quite well in simulated lunar soil. While this wouldn't be a food source [...]

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[trinitree88]

Based on what we currently know about the makeup of the lunar regolith, future colonists on the moon will not be able to use the soil on hand to grow food. But in a new experiment, bacteria called cyanobacteria grew quite well in simulated lunar soil. While this wouldn't be a food source [...]

More...

Fraser Interesting. Sterile terrestrial soils are returned to tillage by incorporating leaves. Bacteria in the decomposing leaves produce humus, and the ratio of carbon/nitrogen....approximately 30/1 is just about right for nutrients. The lack of carbonates on the moon and Mars poses a big problem for terraforming, but at least Mars has some atmospheric carbon dioxide. The general failure of the closed system Biosphere, and Biospere 2 remains a concern. Lots of chemistry to do there yet. pete