Ancient Microbial Ecosystem Unearthed Deep Beneath Atacama Desert
Researchers have discovered a diverse and ancient microbial community 13 feet below the surface in Chile's Atacama Desert, providing insights for the search for life on Mars.
- A 19,000-year-old microbial biosphere has been identified beneath the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, revealing a complex ecosystem of bacteria and archaea.
- The microbial community, dominated by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, thrives in extreme conditions, suggesting potential for life in similar extraterrestrial environments.
- Gypsum deposits at these depths play a crucial role in sustaining microbial life by potentially providing water, enhancing our understanding of life's resilience.
- The discovery underscores the Atacama Desert's value as a terrestrial analog for Mars, where similar conditions may harbor life.
- This finding marks the deepest microbial survey in the Atacama Desert to date, challenging previous understandings of life in extreme environments.
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