Scientists have managed to find signs of microbial life in one of the harshest places on Earth, adding to the hope that life may also be found in some of the unknown space environments. In the depths of the Canadian Arctic, scientists managed to identify signs of life in the low-oxygen, super-salty waters of the Lost Hammer Spring. In spring water rises through 1,970 feet of permafrost in one of the coldest places on Earth. The discovery raises many hopes that microbial life (if it exists), may also be found in environments similar to the icy moons Europa and Enceladus.
“It took a few years of working with sediments before we were able to successfully detect active microbial communities. The salinity of the environment interferes with both the extraction and sequencing of microbes, so when we’re going to find evidence of active microbial communities, we’re going to have to work with sediment.” If we were able to, it was a very satisfying experience. Told Lead researcher microbiologist Alice Magnusson from McGill University, Canada.
The microbes the team found are completely new with some very specific adaptations that allow them to exist and thrive in extreme environments like Lost Hammer Spring. Most importantly, these microbes are chemolithotrophic. These types of organisms, whose name literally means ‘rock eaters’, produce energy through the oxidation of inorganic molecules. Chemolithotropes can survive with or without oxygen.
“The microorganisms we found and described in Lost Hammer Spring are surprising because, unlike other microorganisms, they do not depend on organic matter or oxygen,” explained microbiologist Lyle White.
These microorganisms can survive by eating and breathing simple inorganic compounds such as methane, sulfide, sulfate, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, all of which are found on earth. Mars planet,
White, Professor of Polar Microbiology at McGill University, Canada Told“They can also fix carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases from the atmosphere, which makes them highly adapted to both living and thriving in very extreme environments on Earth and beyond.”
Scientists believe that the ice on the polar caps of Mars is composed of hypersaline water and lies beneath the icy surface. europathe sixth largest moon of Jupiterand Enceladus, the sixth largest moon of saturn, are oceans of hypersaline water. These environments can host similar extraterrestrial microbes that have adapted to the conditions.