The Vostok research facility in Antarctica. (Photo : Reuters)
Lake Vostok, hidden beneath an Antarctic glacier, is so deep and cold that it resembles an alien planet where life should be impossible Scientists have discovered a surprising amount of critters beneath the frigid water.
The researchers identified billions of species through DNA and RNA sequencing, in a place where life should not be able to exist, according to a Bowling Green State University press release.
The researchers identified billions of species through DNA and RNA sequencing, in a place where life should not be able to exist, according to a Bowling Green State University press release.
"The bounds on what is habitable and what is not are changing," Dr. Scott Rogers, a Bowling Green State University professor of biological sciences who worked on the study, said.
Lake Vostok is the fourth deepest lake on Earth, and the largest sub glacial lake known in Antarctica.
The lake is under high pressure thanks to 1.5 million years-worth of ice coverage and a depth of nearly two miles.
Due to the lake's conditions there are almost no nutrients available. It lies below sea level and experiences harsh and unpredictable weather conditions.
Scientists thought the lake's conditions rendered it inhospitable to all types of life, even bacteria.
The team proved past speculations wrong when they examined the underside of the million-year-old ice.
"We found much more complexity than anyone thought," Rogers said. "It really shows the tenacity of life, and how organisms can survive in places where a couple dozen years ago we thought nothing could survive."
