Mars has free oxygen gas but at levels suggesting radiative and chemical breakups of oxygenated compounds, not plants. Apparently in 2016 there was chatter that Mars used to have more of it, in order to make manganese oxides; therefore, plants. But where are the plant fossils?
Those of us who said "hold on to your thoats" (or, like me, didn't pay attention) are, h/t ToughSF and the Mars Society, vindicated. On simulation of Martian chlorine-rich surface-conditions, those produce those oxides. More: added oxygen can-not produce those oxides.
Back to archaea! And, for colonists, back to the artificial means.
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