Microbes found in Canadian permafrost that could live on Mars

Microbiologists from McGill University discovered in salt surface deposits near a spring

Lost Hammer in northern Canada is a microbial community that uses simple inorganic compounds similar to those found on Mars for nutrition and respiration.

Through genetic analysis, researchersisolated and reconstructed the genomes of approximately 110 microorganisms, most of which had never been seen before. In a paper published in The ISME Journal, scientists have identified which genes are responsible for the metabolism and development of living organisms under the extreme conditions of Lost Hammer. This knowledge, as the authors of the work believe, will help to adjust the Martian missions to search for life.

The microbes that we found in the Lost Hammer spring and described in our work are amazing because, unlike other microorganisms, their life does not depend on organic material or oxygen.

Lyle White, professor of microbiology at McGill University and leader of the study

Researchers say what they foundmicroorganisms use simple inorganic compounds for nutrition and respiration. For example, these can be methane, sulfides, sulfates, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. In addition, these bacteria can sequester carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the atmosphere.

The Lost Hammer spring is located in Nunavut onnortheast Canada. It is one of the coldest and saltiest terrestrial springs discovered to date. As the authors of the study explain, the water that feeds the spring comes to the surface through 600 m of permafrost. Researchers note an extremely high concentration of salts (about 24%) and an almost complete absence of oxygen (less than one part per million).

Salt deposits of the Lost Hammer spring. Photo: Elyss Magnuson, McGill University

Despite the constantly negative temperature(about -5 °C), due to the high salinity, the water in the source never freezes. As the researchers note, these conditions are similar to those observed in some regions of Mars: a lot of salt deposits have been found on the red planet and salty springs may exist.

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