As reported by IZ with reference to Science Alert, a new study proves that life on our planet is not limited to its surface. An international team of scientists conducted a large-scale analysis of microbial communities in underground environments, collecting samples from a depth of up to 4,375 meters. The analysis revealed a significant level of microbial diversity that exceeds expected indicators. These results contradict the established scientific notion that the deeper below the surface, the less life can exist there.
The study confirmed that certain underground microbes retain a significantly higher genetic diversity than surface ecosystems. This is especially true of the deep sea, where archaea demonstrate a high level of adaptation to energy-limited conditions. It was found that some of them use not only classical organic compounds as a source of energy, but also radioactive reactions and chemical processes, for example, serpentinization.
Due to the extreme conditions, life in underground ecosystems develops much more slowly than on the surface. Some bacteria can reproduce only once every millennium, which indicates an exceptional adaptation to limited resources. Scientists suggest that similar microorganisms may exist on other planets, where there may be reservoirs of liquid water in the bowels. This opens up new opportunities for the search for extraterrestrial life.
The underground biosphere turned out to be more complex and branched than previously thought. This study not only expands our knowledge of life on Earth, but also suggests where exactly we should look for possible forms of life beyond our planet. However, scientists emphasize that further research is needed to fully understand the processes occurring at depth.
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