NASA scientists said that the toxic salt found on Red planet is not dangerous for microbial life. The space craft Phoenix had bought some samples of rocks in the Martian soil of Mars. The scientists have detected a highly oxidizing salt namely perchlorate in the samples. It is believed to be toxic in nature. This salt is also present on Earth in the arid Atacama Desert in Chile. Some organisms use it as a source of energy in the desert. 

Phoenix scientist Richard Quinn of the NASA Ames Research Center said that microbes can exist in oxidizing conditions. It was earlier asserted by scientists that they have found an Earth like soil near North Pole of Mars which can support life on the Red planet. The chief scientist Peter Smith of the University of Arizona in Tucson said that the chemical has no adverse effect on the survival of organisms and plants.

NASA had landed the space craft on the Martian arctic plains on May 25 to ascertain the possibility of life on the planet. Per chlorate is used in solid rocket fuel, fireworks, pyrotechnics and other explosives. It can affect thyroid function and health development. It is also being speculated that the chemical is leaked from the robot and contaminated the space craft.

The mission scientists also found traces of magnesium, sodium, potassium and other elements in the samples brought by Phoenix.