Strange Bacteria Sustains Itself Without Sunlight

[metadigital]

Hahnsoo writes

"A colony of bacteria found 2.8 kilometers below the Earth's surface in a South African gold mine is able to sustain itself without energy from the Sun. While sub-surface colonies of microorganisms utilizing sulfur (mostly near deep sea hydrothermal vents) is not new, this particular colony is unusual. The colony does it by relying on radioactive uranium to split water into hydrogen gas. Thus, instead of solar energy and photosynthesis, this species relies on radioactive materials and sulfur/hydrogen to facilitate its energy needs. There is some speculation about life on other planets in the article as well." 

[kirottu]

LIFE IN SPACE!!!!!!!!!! (w00t)

[Pidesco]

Awesome!

[Surreptishus]

This reminds me of The Thing and a couple of X-Files episodes. :ph34r:

 

The quote mentions things living near hydrothermal vents. Its not just micro organisms that can live there. You can find small crustaceans living there too. Little crabs living at a the bottom of a trench in water that is many times hotter than boiling point. Surely the presence of complex creatures in such inhospitable environments is evidence of Intelligent Design! All hail FSM!!

[astr0creep]

"There are fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world"

 

[Checkpoint]

2.8 kilometers below the Earth's surface in a South African gold mine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's... that's... here!

 

ZOMG IT'S ME!!!!! I'M THE BACTERIA!!!!!!!

[metadigital]

The quote mentions things living near hydrothermal vents. Its not just micro organisms that can live there. You can find small crustaceans living there too. Little crabs living at a the bottom of a trench in water that is many times hotter than boiling point.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Should be pretty trivial to engineer new species that use this alternative source of life, too ... a whole genetically modified ecosystem ...

[Sand]

Never underestimate the natural world to hold wonders beyond imagining if you actually go out your door looking for them.

[kumquatq3]

interesting read

[Colrom]

I wonder how it evolved.

[Darque]

Wow, that's awesome.

[metadigital]

I wonder how it evolved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As it is a bacteria, then it may have come from a normal bacteria, OR spontaneously from some proto-life organic molecules, like that from which bacteria originated. It will be interesting to sequence it.