A new study has revealed that microbial life far below the Earth’s surface is surprisingly diverse, challenging previous assumptions about how much life can thrive in such harsh environments. A team of researchers, led by Emil Ruff from Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, found that the cracks and fissures beneath the crust are home to microbial communities comparable in complexity to those on Earth’s surface. This discovery challenges the idea that deeper underground environments become less conducive to life. The study, published in ScienceAdvances, involved eight years of research comparing datasets from over 1,400 microbial communities worldwide. By standardizing data collection methods led by Mitchell Sogin of Bay Paul Center, the team was able to make meaningful comparisons between surface and subsurface environments. This breakthrough not only highlights Earth’s hidden microbial ecosystems but also opens new avenues for understanding biodiversity in extreme environments around the globe.
Source: https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-life-deep-inside-earth