Hydrothermal systems that formed as a result of impact events possess all the key requirements for life: liquid water, a supply of bio-essential elements, and potential energy sources. Therefore, they are prime locations in the search for life on other planets. Here, we apply thermochemical modeling to determine secondary mineral formation within an impact-generated hydrothermal system, using geochemical data returned for two soils on Mars found in regions that have previously experienced alteration. The computed mineral reaction pathways provide a basis for Gibbs energy calculations that enable both the identification of available geochemical energy, obtained from Fe-based redox reactions, that could be utilized by potential microbial life within these environments, and an estimate of potential cell numbers. Our results suggest that water–rock interactions occurring within impact-generated hydrothermal systems could support a range of Fe-based redox reactions. The geochemical energy produced from these reactions would be substantial and indicates that crater environments have the potential to support microbial cell numbers similar to what has been identified in terrestrial environments.

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探索火星撞击产生的热液系统的环境及其支持生命的潜力

由于撞击事件而形成的热液系统具有生命的所有关键需求：液态水、生物必需元素的供应和潜在的能源。因此，它们是在其他行星上寻找生命的主要地点。在这里，我们应用热化学模型来确定撞击产生的热液系统内的次生矿物形成，使用从火星上发现的两种土壤返回的地球化学数据，这些土壤以前经历过变化。计算出的矿物反应途径为 Gibbs 能量计算提供了基础，可以识别可用的地球化学能量，从基于铁的氧化还原反应中获得，这些能量可以被这些环境中的潜在微生物生命利用，并估计潜在的细胞数量。我们的研究结果表明，在撞击产生的热液系统中发生的水-岩相互作用可以支持一系列基于铁的氧化还原反应。这些反应产生的地球化学能量将是巨大的，并表明火山口环境有可能支持与在陆地环境中发现的微生物细胞数量相似的微生物细胞数量。