In the work, scientists explored the ways in which water and microbes interact with glaciers: they did this using
We continued to find organisms even at high sub-zero temperatures: hydrogen kept them alive.
Research text
A group of researchers discovered thatPhysical and chemical reactions beneath the glaciers produce hydrogen gas as the silica-rich bedrock beneath the glaciers is broken down into tiny mineral particles by the weight of the ice. When these mineral particles combine with icy meltwater, they release hydrogen.
The interesting thing is that microbial communities underglaciers may have combined this hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide to form biomass through a process called chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is similar to the process of producing biomass from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, although chemosynthesis does not require sunlight.
To find out more about what these are doingchemosynthetic microbes, scientists used samples of glacial deposits in Canada and Iceland. They grew samples of living organisms found in the sediment in the laboratory and observed them for several months to see if they would continue to grow in the simulated environment.
Over several months of preparation and observationWith microbial cultures, the scientists found that not only can they track the growth of communities in the laboratory, but also that the type of bedrock underlying a glacier influences the amount of hydrogen gas produced. Thanks to it, microbial communities emerge that are better adapted to hydrogen metabolism.
Bacteria use this hydrogen gas to produce energy, they also pull carbon dioxide from the air to create biomass, reproduce and grow.
Scientists believe their research will help study glaciers on other planets, as well as potentially help learn about life on them.
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