Argentinian lake maybe holds secret of life on Earth
Argentina’s remote lake in northwestern territories may have clues on how life got started on Earth and how life could survive on Mars or other planets, not just in our solar system. Researchers have found millions of super bacteria thriving inside Lake Diamante in the center of a giant volcanic crater, more than 4500 meters above sea level.
The bacteria’s habitat is similar to primitive earth, before living organisms began wrapping a protective atmosphere of oxygen around our planet so the oxygen concentration in lake itself is pretty low. Those primitive earth’s conditions include high alkaline and arsenic level what in other words mean – they could shed light on life beyond Earth.
Scientists believe if bacteria can survive here it could also survive somewhere like Mars or similar planets. So-called extremophiles have been found also in other parts of the world and it is widely used in industrial processes line in detergent manufacturing. Bacteria that break down lipid have significant commercial value.
Maria Farias, member of team that discovered the life forms in Lake Diamante said that these bacteria called polyextermophiles are exceptional as they flourish in the harshest of circumstances.
Diamante lake contains levels of arsenic 20,000 times higher than the level regarded as safe for drinking water. Water temperature is also often below freezing but because it is so salty (five times saltier than sea water) ice never forms.
The bacteria’s DNA mutates in order to survive low oxygen levels and high ultra-violet radiation at such high altitudes what is very interesting for researchers. Farias and her team now want to produce metagenome of the bacteria to study it and maybe find some usable applications for new antioxidants or enzymes that could be derived from the bacteria.
Related posts:
- Oxygen presence in atmosphere
- Tanganyika lake is heating up fast due to global warming
- Volcanic eruption boosts ocean life
- Toba, supervolcano in Indonesia
- Biodiversity on Earth
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