Thriving Colony Of Ancient Microbes Discovered In Antarctica's Vida Lake

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Despite decades of research and exploration, the Arctic and the Antarctica are still a constant source of surprise for scientists. Earlier this year, they discovered a thriving microscopic garden under the ice in the Arctic and now, a robust community of ancient bacteria estimated to be about 2,800 years old.

The amazing discovery, nearly 65 feet beneath the frozen surface of Antarctica's largest lake - Vida, is the result of a seven-year collaboration between scientists from NASA, Reno's Desert Research Institute (DRI), Chicago's University of Illinois and nine other Institutions.

The find is a huge surprise for many reasons. Not only is the temperature a chilling -10°C, but also, the water is extremely salty - about six to seven times more than normal seawater.

Also, there is no oxygen. Instead scientists found what they believe is the largest concentration of nitrous oxide in a natural water environment. Also known as 'laughing gas', because of the effect it has on humans if inhaled in excess, it is a colorless, non-flammable gas. Used by surgeons and dentists because of it is a good anesthetic and analgesic, it is not harmful to humans, but it does react with the Earth's ozone layer and is considered to be a major greenhouse gas.

Since the scientists already know from previous exploration of the area that the microbes have had no help from the outside world for at least 3,000 years, they were able to conclude that they had somehow managed to adapt and thrive in what we had always believed was an environment too hostile to sustain life.

The researchers think that this ancient colony of bacteria has learnt to survive by extracting chemical energy from the hydrogen, nitrate nitrite and nitrous oxide, all resulting from a chemical reaction between the saline in the water and the iron-rich rocks that lie beneath.

According to Alison Murray the molecular microbial ecologist and polar researcher at DRI, and the lead writer of the study that was published on November 26th, this discovery not only gives us insights into how life may have formed on Earth, but also, restores hope that alien life may exist in other similar hostile environments like the subsurface aquifers on Mars.

Resources: NASA.gov, wikipedia.org

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91 Comments
  • wildcandyalmost 12 years
    so yeah pretty much
    • wildcandyalmost 12 years
      this is what im gonna do for my current event due thursday well actualy not the most boring home work ever but ok. its ok
      • donkey balls!almost 12 years
        this is not very cool guys.
        • YO MAMA!almost 12 years
          This is really cool, although I'm still thinking whether I should do this or not for my current events because we are supposed to do something that could effect us specifically and I live in North America where as this thing was found in Antarctica I believe.
          • Georgealmost 12 years
            You know, I think that they should put a video on this.
            • Bobalmost 12 years
              Thise homework is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
              • Lilyalmost 12 years
                My current events hw
                • sis554almost 12 years
                  i anit got homework like this in years, gonna be my homework some day
                  • Vevevalmost 12 years
                    My homework is awesome
                    • Vevevalmost 12 years
                      Woah holy moly