A team of scientists has discovered a thriving microbial ecosystem beneath 14 metres of ice covering Antarctica’s Lake Enigma, challenging previous assumptions about the lake’s environment. Using radar surveys and drilling, researchers identified a vast body of liquid water harboring unique microbes, including previously unobserved ultrasmall bacteria.
The discovery, made using data from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, has significant implications for our understanding of microbial life in extreme conditions. It could also inform the search for life on icy moons like Europa and Enceladus.
The lake’s average temperature is -14 °C, making it one of the coldest places on Earth. However, beneath the ice, scientists found a surprising abundance of liquid water, which has sparked renewed interest in the potential for life in extreme environments.
Source: https://astrobiology.com/2025/01/microbial-diversity-discovered-in-lake-enigma-antarctica.html