ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Biology

Scientists find microbes thriving kilometers beneath the ground

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
February 15, 2016
in Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Flu’s coming, but which kind?
Uranus has a magnetosphere that turns on and off every day
Where are all the mummies? 2 out of 3 animal mummies don’t have an animal inside
Tiny aluminium drum cooled beyond quantum limit proves we can make things even colder. Possibly down to absolute zero

We’ve explored the Earth, we’ve explored the seas, we’ve even started exploring outer space but there’s one place we really haven’t explored that much – and that’s underground. Exploring underground reveals quite some secrets it turns out, as there’s a rich microbe biosphere living deep in our planet.

They live several kilometers under the surface of the earth, need no light or oxygen and can only be seen in a microscope. By sequencing genomes of a newly discovered group of microbes, the Hadesarchaea, an international team of researchers have found out how these microorganisms make a living in the deep subsurface biosphere of our planet. They were found in a mine in South Africa as well as under this hot spring in Yellowstone. Credits: Dan Coleman
They live several kilometers under the surface of the earth, need no light or oxygen and can only be seen in a microscope. By sequencing genomes of a newly discovered group of microbes, the Hadesarchaea, an international team of researchers have found out how these microorganisms make a living in the deep subsurface biosphere of our planet. They were found in a mine in South Africa as well as under this hot spring in Yellowstone. Credits: Dan Coleman

They live a few km beneath the surface, without needing oxygen or light, withstanding difficult conditions with ease. Aside from that, we don’t know much about them. We don’t know much about their lifestyle and we can’t grow them in the lab (at least yet). This new class of microbes are specialized for survival beneath the surface, so we called them “Hadesarchaea“, after the ancient Greek god of the underworld, says Brett Baker, lead author of the study.

Like their name says it, they belong to the Archaea, a group of microorganisms discovered just 40 years ago. Archaeal cells have unique properties separating them from bacteria and many of them are extremophiles – creatures adapted to living in extreme environments. However, Archaea can inhabit a diverse range of environments including (as it turns out) two miles beneath the ground.

The Archaea was found in a South African gold mine at a depth of two miles. To make things even more intriguing, the same microbes were found in two very different environments: in the deep mud of a temperate estuary in North Carolina and underneath hot springs at Yellowstone National Park. It’s still not clear how the microorganisms came to be and settled down in such different and inhospitable area

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Archaeology

Neanderthals Turned Cave Lion Bone into a 130,000-Year-Old ‘Swiss Army Knife’

byTibi Puiu
7 hours ago
A participant using the OMP bionic knee system.
Biology

This Bionic Knee Plugs Into Your Bones and Nerves, and Feels Just Like A Real Body Part

byRupendra Brahambhatt
7 hours ago
Climate

Melting Glaciers May Unleash Hundreds of Dormant Volcanoes and Scientists Are Worried

byTudor Tarita
7 hours ago
Environment

This New Bioplastic Is Clear Flexible and Stronger Than Oil-Based Plastic. And It’s Made by Microbes

byTudor Tarita
7 hours ago

Recent news

Neanderthals Turned Cave Lion Bone into a 130,000-Year-Old ‘Swiss Army Knife’

July 14, 2025
A participant using the OMP bionic knee system.

This Bionic Knee Plugs Into Your Bones and Nerves, and Feels Just Like A Real Body Part

July 14, 2025

Melting Glaciers May Unleash Hundreds of Dormant Volcanoes and Scientists Are Worried

July 14, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.