7,000-Year-Old Algae Revived by Baltic Sea Researchers

Scientists successfully reactivated Skeletonema marinoi, a diatom algae species, demonstrating its biological fitness and unlocking insights into ancient ecosystems.

The algae, Skeletonema marinoi, was revived from sediment collected in 2021 near Gotland in the Baltic Sea at a depth of 240 meters.
Dating back approximately 6,871 years, the algae cells are among the oldest organisms successfully reactivated from dormancy.
The algae retained full biological functionality, including growth, cell division, and photosynthesis, comparable to its modern descendants.
Researchers attribute the algae's survival to its ability to enter a dormant state with reduced metabolic activity and protective structures.
The study contributes to 'resurrection ecology,' enabling researchers to reconstruct past environmental conditions and better understand future ecological changes.