Astrobiological studies in Mars-analog environments of the Qaidam Basin

Mars, one of the most similar planets to Earth in the Solar System, is a prime target for planetary exploration and astrobiological research due to its potential to harbor past or present life. Comparative planetological studies in Earth's extreme environments offer critical insights into the environmental evolution of Mars. The Qaidam Basin, located on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, is one of the highest and largest nonpolar deserts on Earth, characterized by hyperaridity, elevated radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and extreme temperature fluctuations. The tectonic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau has transformed the Qaidam Basin from a paleo-lacustrine system into a high-altitude desert, leading to significant hydrochemical shifts that produced extensive aqueous mineral deposits and Mars-like landforms. These features make the Qaidam Basin a unique terrestrial analog for Mars during the Late Noachian to Early Hesperian transition, a period marked by dramatic climate change. This review systematically summarizes astrobiological research in the Qaidam Basin, integrating key discoveries on the evolution of habitable environments, water-rock interactions, microbial adaptation strategies, biosignature preservation, and life-environment interactions.