[Effect of hydrogen peroxide and hydrated ferric oxides on the metabolism of soil microflora].

The effect of hydrogen peroxide and the mineral limonite on the rate of microbial processes was studied in poor and rich soils. The dynamics of CO2 evolution can be registered upon addition of hydrogen peroxide to chernozem samples, which confirms the existence of metabolism of soil microorganisms. In experiments with desert soil, the evolution of O2 increases rather than that of CO2, which is probably due to an increase in the number of microorganisms producing catalase. Limonite stimulates the metabolic activity of microrganisms. The cultural and morphological properties of microflora are described, which are typical of soils incubated in the presence of limonite and hydrogen peroxide. This work supports the conclusion that, theoretically, the ground of Mars may contain microorganisms which have adapted, in the course of evolution, to high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and hydrated iron oxides (of the limonite type) in the surrounding medium.