Summary
Scientists have discovered a surprising amount of tiny worms and microbes far under the earth's surface, possibly up to 20 kilometers down. Microbes have been found in rocks while drilling or mining. The single-celled bacteria that inhabit these areas require water and nutrients but not oxygen to thrive. Archaea can also be found, living on ammonia or sulphur. This habitat is called the Stygian realm, named after the River Styx in Greek mythology. The life cycles of some microbes are so slow that they can live without dividing for millions of years. These are sometimes referred to as "zombie microbes". Scientists believe there is a possibility that life may have originated in this habitat under the earth's surface. There is plenty of energy, water, and carbon-rich molecules, but it is more sheltered than the face of the planet. Scientists also consider the possibility that the first microbes may have been brought to this subterranean world on asteroids from Mars, where liquid water existed before it did on Earth. Viruses were also found deep under ground, but instead of seeking to produce many offspring, they plant their genes and then wait for better conditions to make more viruses.
Relevance
This article concerns microbes which we studied in the last unit. Part of this study included theories of how life formed on Earth. A different one of these theories is discussed in the article. We learned about bacteria and archaea, both relevant to this article, including extremophiles who live in extreme conditions such as this underground habitat.
Author: Alister Doyle
Date published: Mar 4 2013
Sarah Mamlet
Are the viruses that were found underground potentially harmful to humans?
ReplyDeleteCan the microbes survive above ground?
ReplyDeleteTalia: The viruses underground don't kill their hosts. They stay dormant until conditions are good enough for them to reproduce. If conditions were ideal in humans, then perhaps, we don't know.
ReplyDeleteErik: Conditions are so different above ground, I doubt the microbes would be equipped to survive. There underground environment might, however, be able to be recreated in an above-ground laboratory. There is also the possibility that these microbes could adapt to life above ground.