A new analysis of the Martian soil found a toxin, whose existence, if confirmed, might radically shrink the possibility that life can exist on the planet. The toxic chemical is perchlorate and is one of the key components of one type of solid rocket fuel.

The discovery was made after a sample of the planet's surface has been analyzed using Phoenix's MECA wet chemistry laboratory. MECA stands for Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer. The device mixes Martian soil with water brought from Earth and then uses a set of sensors to determine the chemical composition of the sample that is analyzed.

Scientists think that it was possible that the chemical might have been detected because of contamination brought from Earth. If it is so, scientists can still hope to find that life was or is possible on Mars.

A previous analysis of the Martian soil found that it contained chemicals that were similar to the ones found on Earth. What's more, its pH level was similar to the one found in certain regions of our planet, and was considered that plants like asparagus could grown if planted on Mars, provided the plantation would be protected from the UV rays that would kill the plants.

NASA researchers are waiting for more conclusive results from the TEGA ovens before giving a final verdict regarding the presence of perchlorate. According to the MSNBC, Peter Smith, one of the lead investigators working on the project said that “We are committed to following a rigorous scientific process. While we have not completed our process on these soil samples, we have very interesting intermediate results.”