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Ancient Ecosystem Found In Ice Pocket

Posted by timothy on from the so-it's-not-a-traditional-honeymoon-suite dept.

ApharmdB writes "Beneath a glacier in Antarctica, scientists have discovered a community of microbes growing in frigid pools of salty water. It's a particularly tough environment, with no light, no oxygen, and extremely cold temperatures. But the microbes appear to live — and thrive — off a combination of iron and sulfur, according to a new study. The result of that strange metabolism is a brilliant red streak of cascading ice called Blood Falls."

49 comments

  1. Well by Stormcrow309 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I, for one, welcome our new Blood Ice Masters... at least until I get the blow torch out. It is neat to see where life will thrive.

    --

    In God we trust, all others require data.

  2. Similarity by Verteiron · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A red streak, huh? Looking at the picture, it's sort of a orange-red rust color. A rust-colored streak in the middle of a bunch of ice. What does it remind me of? Ah, yes.

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    End of lesson. You may press the button.
    1. Re:Similarity by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      I suppose we'd better tell any boats in the area to avoid landing there, eh?

    2. Re:Similarity by b0ttle · · Score: 1

      Reminds me of Mars.

    3. Re:Similarity by orkysoft · · Score: 1

      Why does it remind you of a false color image?

      --

      I suffer from attention surplus disorder.
    4. Re:Similarity by blincoln · · Score: 1

      A rust-colored streak in the middle of a bunch of ice. What does it remind me of? Ah, yes [nasa.gov].

      That is really interesting. It's obviously not as good as a true spectrograph, but it would be worth comparing the false-colour images NASA has on that same page with similar ones taken of rust (or ideally the Blood Falls) here on Earth to see if they match up. I can do that myself, minus the Blood Falls part (unless someone wants to pony up for a ticket). Maybe this weekend?

      --
      "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
    5. Re:Similarity by Verteiron · · Score: 1

      Because, if you actually read the linked page, you'll see that the rust-colored streaks show up even on accurate color images. The false-color ones are clearly marked as such.

      --
      End of lesson. You may press the button.
  3. is this how the zombie apocalypse starts? by DragonTHC · · Score: 1

    with an organism from an ice pocket?

    The red death is coming.

    --
    They're using their grammar skills there.
    1. Re:is this how the zombie apocalypse starts? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Better than black oil.

      Oh wait.

    2. Re:is this how the zombie apocalypse starts? by nametaken · · Score: 1

      Sorry, even here that joke is too old.

  4. Missing option by codeButcher · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ancient Ecosystem Found...

    from the so-it's-not-a-traditional-honeymoon-suite dept.

    ... discovered a community of microbes ... It's a particularly tough environment, with no light, no oxygen, and extremely cold temperatures. But the microbes appear to live -- and thrive -- off a combination of iron and sulfur, according to a new study.

    Pray tell, have they thought about looking in CowboyNeal's belly button yet?

    --
    Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
  5. Can this be replicated for classroom use? by davidwr · · Score: 1

    How easy would it be to grow these microbes in a lab?

    I'm thinking zoos or classrooms would be good places for them.

    "Now children, who wants to feed the iron eating microbes?"

    Before any of this can happen I'd want a safety study. If these living creatures are harmful to plants, animals, or the other living creatures we depend on, then it's probably a no-go.

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
    1. Re:Can this be replicated for classroom use? by oneirophrenos · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If these living creatures are harmful to plants, animals, or the other living creatures we depend on, then it's probably a no-go.

      This is extremely unlikely. For a microbe to be able to live within another organism, it would have to have gone through generations and generations of mutation-driven evolution so that it would not be instantly killed by its host's immune system.

    2. Re:Can this be replicated for classroom use? by CorporateSuit · · Score: 4, Funny

      This is extremely unlikely. For a microbe to be able to live within another organism, it would have to have gone through generations and generations of mutation-driven evolution so that it would not be instantly killed by its host's immune system.

      Things have changed. Now all they need is a good lawyer and they press charges against the immune system. The immune system is issued a cease and desist, and the microbes receive special protection under the state constitution against any further incursion from the immune system onto the microbes' new home.

      --
      I am the richest astronaut ever to win the superbowl.
    3. Re:Can this be replicated for classroom use? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do my tax dollars pay for these immigrant microbes to sit around living off the system?

  6. Impressive, but the real question is by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 0

    where do the sulfur and iron come from? Neither the blurb or TFA say.

    I assume microorganism locked up in ice, no matter how hardy, can't find anything but frozen water in their environment. And looking at the size of the "blood falls", they're not just feeding on some trace elements that happened to be there when the ice formed.

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
    1. Re:Impressive, but the real question is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TFA says from the ground, nice work RTFA.

    2. Re:Impressive, but the real question is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I assume microorganism locked up in ice, no matter how hardy, can't find anything but frozen water in their environment. And looking at the size of the "blood falls", they're not just feeding on some trace elements that happened to be there when the ice formed.

      TFA mentions that the glacier appears to have formed over what once was a saltwater lake, so it seems likely that either the iron and sulfur were disloved in the water when the lake was formed, or it was leeched from the ground containing this lake afterwards.

      Another interesting observation is that these micro-organisms appear to be genetically related to some current marine micro-organisms. They estimate that these species seperated from a common anscestor are about 1.5 million years ago. Considering their metabolism is described as being based on previously unknown bio-chemistry, they must have evolved an entirely new method to get energy in relatively short amount of time!

    3. Re:Impressive, but the real question is by Opyros · · Score: 1
      According to Ars,

      The authors posit that the glacier itself might provide the source by extracting new iron as it scrapes across the underlying rocks.

    4. Re:Impressive, but the real question is by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      TFA states the iron leaches from the bedrock, I presume the sulphur does too.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  7. Looks more like... by Cornwallis · · Score: 4, Funny

    After looking at the picture I imagine they are calling it Blood Falls because Diarrhea Falls wouldn't be quite so compelling.

  8. My discovery by tttonyyy · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's nothing. I've discovered programmers working in grey cubicals of resolute despair. It's a particularly tough environment, with no light, no personal hygiene, and extremely bad management. But the programmers appear to live -- and thrive -- off a combination of electricity and light, according to a new study. The result of that strange metabolism is the brilliant ability to avoid work called "Reading Slashdot".

    --
    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
    1. Re:My discovery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's nothing. I've discovered programmers working in grey cubicals of resolute despair. It's a particularly tough environment, with no light, no personal hygiene, and extremely bad management. But the programmers appear to live -- and thrive -- off a combination of electricity and light, according to a new study. The result of that strange metabolism is the brilliant ability to avoid work called "Reading Slashdot".

      My god, where are you ? How'd you know where to find me ?

    2. Re:My discovery by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      That's nothing. I've discovered programmers working in grey cubicals of resolute despair.

      I used to work with an engineer who would buy breakfast burritos containing pork, then leave them on top of his monitor to keep them warm, sometimes until the next day. I would be surprised not to find a complete ecosystem in his pockets.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  9. its wrong to say 'isolated' by tkjtkj · · Score: 1

    If materials from this sub-glacial lake do seep out to the surface, as the photo seems to show, how on earth can we say the lake is 'isolated'? The proper term might be: contaminated! yes, the degree of contamination might be small, but this is 'science', no?

    --
    "There are 11 kinds of people: those who know binary, those who don't, and those who could not care less!"
  10. How did it first appear? by mangu · · Score: 0

    I think all these considerations about extremophiles showing the possibility of life in other planets rather unsound.

    There's no evidence that life could ever appear in such environments starting from abiotic conditions, it seems pretty obvious these organisms evolved from more benign habitats.

    1. Re:How did it first appear? by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 4, Interesting

      There's no evidence that life could ever appear in such environments starting from abiotic conditions, it seems pretty obvious these organisms evolved from more benign habitats.

      Like, say, a moon that's crunchy on the outside, but warm on the inside? With lots of organics and water?

      I don't think Europa is a perfect haven for biology, but I can easily imagine a race somewhere that has a complete explanation for how they evolved under an ice crust, and that would scoff at the notion of life on the exposed, irradiated, violent surface of a planet...

    2. Re:How did it first appear? by Verteiron · · Score: 1

      Like the nice, safe, warm, possibly sulfur-filled depths of the ocean beneath Europa's frozen surface?

      --
      End of lesson. You may press the button.
    3. Re:How did it first appear? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where there is food, something will be there to eat it, for as long as it continues to feed it.

    4. Re:How did it first appear? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I don't think Europa is a perfect haven for biology, but I can easily imagine a race somewhere that has a complete explanation for how they evolved under an ice crust, and that would scoff at the notion of life on the exposed, irradiated, violent surface of a planet...

      I'm not sure I would consider slashdotters a "race", but I for one and comforted by my maternal subterranean lair, and agree with the above statement.

    5. Re:How did it first appear? by vamin · · Score: 1

      Actually, some of the reactions required for abiogenesis work better in ice: http://discovermagazine.com/2008/feb/did-life-evolve-in-ice/article_print

  11. Only Microbes... by INeededALogin · · Score: 1

    Are we sure their isn't more. How can science say this without getting Brendan Fraser involved. Science has failed us again.

  12. Pockets are amazing places... by Mishotaki · · Score: 1

    You'd be surprised to know what's in my pockets...

    1. Re:Pockets are amazing places... by Old+Grey+Beard · · Score: 2, Funny

      String ... or nothing!

      --
      "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule it."
      - H. L. Mencken
    2. Re:Pockets are amazing places... by Pfhorrest · · Score: 1

      Eggses, precious. Eggses in its pocketses.

      --
      -Forrest Cameranesi, Geek of all Trades
      "I am Sam. Sam I am. I do not like trolls, flames, or spam."
  13. Reminds me of a Dan Brown book by ilikebees · · Score: 1

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deception_Point

    1. Re:Reminds me of a Dan Brown book by ciroknight · · Score: 1

      That was quite honestly the worst piece of garb..literature he wrote, though.

      --
      "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush
  14. Isolated, but by tygerstripes · · Score: 1

    I doubt even they were unaffected by the Credit Crunch.

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    Meta will eat itself
  15. Does this setup remind anyone of Mars? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Lets see... cold, no available oxygen, small pools of salty subsurface water, no useful available light, abundant iron (though I don't know about the Sulfur concentration in Mars' soil, but there's probably some somewhere on the planet)... I'm pretty sure that exactly describes Mars. If this life can thrive here, I would say that's a strong case for the possibly on Mars, in addition to Europa.

  16. Thaw out the New Plague! by itomato · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for one of these pockets of entombed microbes to contain the most heinous superbug ever confronted by humanity.

    (mu ha ha ha)

    But seriously, I can't help but feel it's possible for something to have been cooped up so long that we have zero defenses, as though a meteor hand-delivered a fresh batch of Space Flu.

    1. Re:Thaw out the New Plague! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      That works both ways - bacteria that are too foreign will not be able to survive in the human body. Especially things like these - they live in sub-freezing, completely dark, extremely salty areas and live on iron and sulfur.

      There's not a chance that they are going to be able to survive in an environment that is 60-70 degrees F warmer, virtually no salt or sulfur, only a bit of iron, and highly oxygenated.

      These are about the last things that we need to worry about becoming a "superbug".

  17. Rød Snø! by Keith_Beef · · Score: 1

    Zombies in the ice?

    K.

    1. Re:Rød Snø! by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      It rather reminds me of X-Files: Ice ;)

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
  18. Arthur C. Clarke FTW by NonUniqueNickname · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Maybe no one has read it. In Odyssey 3001 (The Final Odyssey) Clarke wrote about a sulfur-based life forms on Jupiter's Europa moon.

    1. Re:Arthur C. Clarke FTW by oneirophrenos · · Score: 2, Informative

      Maybe no one has read it. In Odyssey 3001 (The Final Odyssey) Clarke wrote about a sulfur-based life forms on Jupiter's Europa moon.

      This particular microbe, however, is not sulfur-based. "Sulfur-based" would indicate that its molecules are largely built out of sulfur (as ours are of carbon), whereas these microbes only utilize sulfur in their energy production.

    2. Re:Arthur C. Clarke FTW by NonUniqueNickname · · Score: 2, Informative

      Sorry, I misspoke when I said "Sulfur-based". The Europa critters in Odyssey 3001 metabolized sulfur, not sure of their composition. They were also said to be slower than earth life-forms, because metabolizing sulfur isn't as intensive as metabolizing oxygen.

  19. Similar to.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    They also have similar "red snow" in the glaciers of the high sierra. Although in the high sierra's, the sun is extremely intense.
    http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plaug98.htm

  20. Completely offtopic but... by denzacar · · Score: 1

    I just want to say "thank you" for that sig.

    Wanted to point it out myself to all those that find "There are 10 kinds of people..."-line brilliant enough to keep copy/pasting it around but as I fall in that last group you mentioned...

    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  21. Eating the past, with relish by handy_vandal · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "In 1949 some friends and I came upon a noteworthy news item in Nature, a magazine of the Academy of Sciences. It reported in tiny type that in the course of excavations on the Kolyma River a subterranean ice lens had been discovered which was actually a frozen stream-and in it were found frozen specimens of prehistoric fauna some tens of thousands of years old. Whether fish or salamander, these were preserved in so fresh a state, the scientific correspondent reported, that those present immediately broke open the ice encasing the specimens and devoured them with relish on the spot."

    - Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Arachipelago

    Link

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    -kgj