A team of researchers from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and several international institutions have made a groundbreaking discovery about Lake Enigma in Antarctica. Contrary to previous assumptions, they found a layer of fresh water covered by a thick ice layer. This unique ecosystem is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that can thrive in extreme conditions.
Using radar surveys and underwater exploration, the team discovered liquid water under 14 meters of ice. An underwater camera provided previously unseen images of the lake’s microbial mats, which are composed of dense colonies of bacteria. The analysis of DNA from water samples revealed an unusual species of bacteria called Patescibacteria, which has never been found in similar lakes before.
This discovery opens up new insights into the potential for life on other planets and in extreme environments. It highlights that conditions similar to those found at Lake Enigma can be replicated on Earth, providing a unique opportunity for scientific study.
Source: https://www.ingv.it/en/press-and-urp/Press/News/5666-Antarctica-Secrets-of-Mysterious-Enigma-Lake-Revealed