New research has revealed that life thrives beneath the surface of the Earth, challenging traditional views on what makes a habitat suitable for living organisms. Led by Emil Ruff of the Marine Biological Laboratory, scientists have discovered diverse communities of microbes in the subsurface, rivaling those found in rainforests and coral reefs.
The study found that subsurface bacteria and archaea can survive with lower energy supplies than surface habitats, defying expectations. In fact, “subsurface ecosystems may host more than half of all microbial cells,” according to the researchers.
Ruff’s team collected samples from around the world, including deep sediments in deserts, oceans, and mines, as well as surface samples from shallow sediments and water. This is the first global study to compare microbiomes above and beneath the surface, providing insights into the hidden ecosystems that exist beneath our feet.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/01/life-is-thriving-in-the-subsurface-depths-of-earth