All articles tagged with #microbial ecosystems
For centuries, sailors have reported glowing ocean waters known as milky seas, and recent satellite technology has enabled scientists to detect and study these rare events from space, revealing patterns and raising questions about microbial behavior, climate interactions, and ocean ecology.
Scientists studying Japan's iron-rich hot springs have uncovered microbial communities that resemble early Earth's conditions, providing insights into how primitive life adapted during the Great Oxidation Event, including the survival of iron-oxidizing bacteria and cryptic sulfur cycles, which may inform understanding of life's resilience in extreme environments both on Earth and beyond.
A new study shows that earthquakes and rock fractures release hydrogen and oxidants that can sustain microbial life deep beneath Earth's surface, and similar processes might exist on other planets like Mars and Europa, expanding the potential habitats for life beyond Earth.
Scientists discovered giant viruses living in Greenland's ice sheet, revealing new insights into polar ecosystems and their potential role in regulating algae growth and ice melt, with broader implications for understanding climate change and microbial interactions in extreme environments.