All articles tagged with #deep underground
In 2016, geologist Barbara Sherwood Lollar discovered the oldest water on Earth, dating back 1.5 to 2.6 billion years, flowing from a Canadian mine. She found microbial life in the salty, bitter water and even tasted it, confirming its extreme age and unique properties. This discovery offers insights into ancient Earth ecosystems and potential extraterrestrial life.
Researchers have conducted a study on the microbes living deep underground, uncovering nearly 600 microbial genomes and categorizing them as either "minimalists" or "maximalists." The study expands our understanding of these elusive organisms and suggests that similar life forms could potentially exist on Mars. The findings also highlight the importance of considering the impact of human activities, such as mining and carbon storage, on the deep subsurface biosphere.