Evidence for biotic perchlorate reduction in naturally perchlorate-rich sediments of Pilot Valley Basin, Utah. Pechrlorate reducing bacteria study - Pilot Valley, Utah

The presence and distribution of naturally-occurring perchlorate was investigated along with the potential for perchlorate reducing organisms co-existing with naturally-occurring perchlorate as a model for potential metabolisms that could support a microbial ecosystem in ancient martian lacustrine sediments. Results show that naturally-occurring perchlorate exists in the near surface sediments as does a small population of known perchlorate reducing organisms.