In Lake Enigma, a unique ecosystem has been found under 9 meters of ice in Antarctica. Scientists have discovered microbes that have been isolated for 14 million years.
The research team, led by scientists from Italy, used special tools to drill and collect samples without contaminating the ecosystem.
The microbes in Lake Enigma create a simple food web with different roles. The lake floor is covered in diverse microbial mats, some shaped like thick carpets or large structures.
The water in Lake Enigma is stable and fed by a nearby glacier. Surprisingly, Patescibacteria, a rare type of bacteria, were found thriving in the lake’s water column.
These bacteria are very small and unique, playing important roles in the ecosystem. This discovery sheds light on the mysterious world of Antarctic lakes.
The research findings were published in a scientific journal called Communications Earth & Environment.
Vocabulary List:
- Ecosystem /ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/ (noun): A community of living organisms and their environment interacting as a system.
- Microbes /ˈmaɪ.kroʊbz/ (noun): Microorganisms especially bacteria that can be found in various environments.
- Diverse /dɪˈvɜːrs/ (adjective): Showing a great deal of variety; very different.
- Contaminating /kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪt/ (verb): Making something impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
- Thriving /θraɪvɪŋ/ (verb): Growing or developing well or prospering.
- Discovery /dɪsˈkʌv.ər.i/ (noun): The act of finding or learning something for the first time.
