Microbial Diversity Discovered In Lake Enigma, Antarctica

Scientists have discovered a thriving microbial ecosystem beneath 14 metres of ice covering Antarctica’s Lake Enigma, a previously thought-to-be entirely frozen lake.

Using radar surveys and drilling, they identified a vast body of liquid water harboring unique microbes, including previously unobserved ultrasmall bacteria. This discovery challenges prior assumptions about the lake’s environment, which has an average temperature of -14 °C.

The findings could provide new insights into microbial life in extreme conditions as well as inform the search for life on icy moons such as Europa and Enceladus.

This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 6 January, shows Lake Enigma in Antarctica. larger image

Open data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites delivers insights on remote bodies of water around the world, supporting researchers and scientists in studying these complex environments.

Underwater survey of the bottom of Enigma Lake made at depth 22.5 m — Nature – More info: Ice-covered Lake Enigma In Antarctica Supports Unique Microbial Communities

Astrobiology