In search for microbial life, scientists find possible organic salts on Mars In search for microbial life, scientists find possible organic salts on Mars The researchers aim to find out what kinds of molecules may once have belonged to and what those molecules could reveal about the ancient environment and potential biology of the Red Planet. advertisement UPDATED: May 21, 2021 18:43 IST Nasa said that the discovery could prove handy for future missions to Mars and support habitability in another environment. (Photo: Nasa) The American space agency Nasa has said that Mars may have organic salts on its surface. The discovery has the potential to change our understanding of the surface properties of Mars and further the search for microbial life on another planet. “Like shards of ancient pottery, these salts are the chemical remnants of organic compounds, such as those previously detected by the Curiosity rover,” Nasa said in a statement.