Beneath the scorching surface of Chile’s Atacama Desert, a hidden world of bacteria thrives at remarkable depths, pushing the boundaries of known microbial life in this hyperarid environment.
Researchers have discovered a rich microbial biosphere buried 13 feet (4 meters) below the desert floor, significantly deeper than previously found in Atacama soils. This hidden community, isolated from the surface, offers tantalizing clues for understanding the potential for life in extreme environments, including our neighboring planet Mars.
The newly discovered biosphere inhabits soils between 6.6 feet (2 meters) and at least 13 feet deep, dominated by Actinobacteria, a diverse group of bacteria found in a wide range of habitats. The researchers employed a novel method to separate DNA from living cells, allowing them to accurately identify and characterize the living microbial community.
The Atacama Desert, known for its extreme dryness, presents a formidable challenge for life. However, some bacteria, such as Actinobacteria, have adapted to thrive in the desert’s salty, mineral-rich soils. The researchers speculate that Actinobacteria may have colonized the area around 19,000 years ago and gradually become buried beneath sediments.
The discovery of this deep microbial biosphere has significant implications for our understanding of life in extreme environments and the search for life beyond Earth. The Atacama Desert is often used as an analog for Mars, and the presence of gypsum deposits in both locations raises the intriguing possibility of water-based life on the Red Planet.
This research opens new avenues for studying microbial diversity and adaptation in extreme environments, providing valuable insights into the limits of life on Earth and beyond.
