Ladakh: Diverse, high-altitude extreme environments for off-earth analogue and astrobiology research

• Published in: International Journal of Astrobiology
• Main Authors: Pandey, S., Clarke, Jonathan, Nema, Preeti, Bonaccorsi, Rosalba, Som, Sanjoy, Sharma, Mukund, Phartiyal, Binita, Rajamani, Sudha, Mogul, Rakesh, Martín-Torres, F. J., Vaishampayan, Parag, Blank, J., Steller, Luke, Srivastava, Anushree, Singh, Randleer, McGuirk, S., Zorzano, María Paz, Güttler, J. M., Mendaza de Cal, Teresa, Soria-Salinas, Álvaro, Ahmad, Shami, Ansari, Arif, Singh, V.K., Mungi, C., Bapat, Niraja
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2019
• Subjects: Astrobiology; India; High elevation; Saline Lake; Traveller; Warden; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/205406; https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550419000119

This paper highlights unique sites in Ladakh, India, investigated during our 2016 multidisciplinary pathfinding expedition to the region. We summarize our scientific findings and the site's potential to support science exploration, testing of new technologies and science protocols within the framework of astrobiology research. Ladakh has several accessible, diverse, pristine and extreme environments at very high altitudes (3000-5700 m above sea level). These sites include glacial passes, sand dunes, hot springs and saline lake shorelines with periglacial features. We report geological observations and environmental characteristics (of astrobiological significance) along with the development of regolith-landform maps for cold high passes. The effects of the diurnal water cycle on salt deliquescence were studied using the ExoMars Mission instrument mockup: HabitAbility: Brines, Irradiance and Temperature (HABIT). It recorded the existence of an interaction between the diurnal water cycle in the atmosphere and salts in the soil (which can serve as habitable liquid water reservoirs). Life detection assays were also tested to establish the best protocols for biomass measurements in brines, periglacial ice-mud and permafrost melt water environments in the Tso-Kar region. This campaign helped confirm the relevance of clays and brines as interest targets of research on Mars for biomarker preservation and life detection. The team would like to express its gratitude to BirbalSahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Department of Science and Technology,Office of Chief Wildlife Warden of Ladakh, Government of India for helpingarrange the requisite clearances and permits for the conducted work. Projectmentoring and guidance provided by Spaceward Bound members at NASAAmes Research Center. Financial and logistics support provided by TataMotors Ltd, Inspired Journeys Co, Pearl Travels Ltd and NationalGeographic Traveller India. Website and IT support provided by the BlueMarble Space Institute of Science. Audio-video documentation ...