Chemical analysis of Antarctic regolith and lunar regolith simulant as prospective substrates for experiments with plants

This study investigates the viability of Antarctic regolith and a lunar regolith simulant as prospective substrates for plant growth under extreme conditions. The study is focused on chemical composition of both substrates with a special respect to heavy metals. The Antarctic regolith samples were collected from James Ross Island, while lunar regolith simulant was developed in order to access the mobility and bioavailability of trace metals in these substrates, using a modified BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure. Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) are among the significant mobile fractions, indicating their possible effects on the germination and growth of plants. Additionally, preliminary results from the study of the regolith samples at the area of Berry Hill mesa are presented, as well as the chemical and mineralogical affinity of the Antarctic regolith and the produced lunar simulant to lunar regolith. The findings suggest that such Antarctic environment can be used in astrobiological studies and future lunar habitation efforts to sustainably cultivate plants and perform other biological experiments on these extraterrestrial surfaces. This is an important concept in light of active programs like Artemis and Gateway.