2/04/2012

Clues to Life in Alien Oceans?

Cave-diving scientists have discovered hot spots of microbial life deep inside three ocean abysses in the Bahamas called blue holes.
Many of the blue holes' microbes aren't known to science. But the colonies that the team was able to identify appear to feed on sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, that are toxic to most other forms of life.
The announcement of the hardy new bacteria intrigues not only researchers seeking extreme life on Earth but also those looking for it off-world.
That's because similar conditions might exist in pitch-black oceans millions of miles away—perhaps under the icy crusts of Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus, said Kevin Hand, an astrobiologist and NASA's deputy chief scientist for solar system exploration.

Source :National Geographic
//News & Photo

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