Subsurface flow wetland treatment systems for wastewater offer advantages which make them Prime candidates for use in initial and longer-term Mars habitat bases. Such systems can be designed to require little electricity or human labor to operate; and can deliver highly efficient use and recycle of the nutrients contained in human domestic wastewater. In addition, such systems are odorless and attractive. The absence of free surface water eliminates mosquito and other pest vectors. In addition, the use of ecologically engineered systems such as wetlands means that while meeting health requirements for effective treatment of sewage, the system can also be designed to produce useful products, food, fodder (for domestic. animals). fibre, timber and its green plants and associated microbiota contribute to the maintenance of atmospheric conditions through carbon uptake, release of oxygen and evapotranspired water vapor. The talk will draw on experience with constructed wetlands in previous closed systems such as Biosphere 2, and the author's more recent work with advanced system designs in Mexico, Australia and Indonesia. Design options to minimize weight and volume requirements for spaceflight and Mars bases, and using in-situ Mars surface resources for construction of such wetlands will be discussed.

Utilizing Martian Resources