Discovery of microbial life in the depths of Antarctic ice

In a surprising discovery, scientists have managed to find different types of microbes under the frozen surface of Antarctica’s Enigma Lake. This discovery, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, shows that even in the coldest parts of the Earth and in conditions where life seems impossible, life can find a way to continue.

According to the scientific news department of Techna Technology Media, Enigma Lake, which is located between two natural glaciers, Amorphous and Boulder Clay, has attracted the attention of scientists for years. Using ground penetrating radar, researchers found that there is water at a depth of about 11 meters below the frozen surface of this lake. After accurate and contamination-free sampling, they examined the samples in the laboratory.

According to Tekna technology media news service, the results of tests showed that different types of microbes live in the underground waters of Enigma Lake, including Pseudomonadota, Actinobacteriota and Bacteriodota. But the most surprising finding was the discovery of a large number of simple bacteria called Potsibacteria. With small cells and genomes, these bacteria are capable of limited activities and show that life in its simplest form can survive in very harsh conditions.

Researchers believe that Enigma Lake was the habitat of various living creatures in the distant past. But with the passage of time and the decrease in temperature, only some of the most resistant creatures have been able to continue their lives. Also, the existence of an unknown source of water for this lake in the dry and desert conditions of the Antarctic has put a big question in front of the scientists.

The discovery of microbial life in Enigma Lake changes our view of the limits of life and shows us that even in the harshest conditions, life can find a way to continue. This discovery could help scientists in the search for extraterrestrial life and increase our understanding of the origin and evolution of life on Earth. To see the latest news, refer to the scientific news page of Tekna Media.