Under the ice of Antarctica found numerous ecosystems

Antarctic ice hides numerous ecosystems of microorganisms, that is, under them there is life. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom, who studied one of the subglacial Antarctic lakes.

The interest of specialists in this case attracted Lake Willans. It is located in the west of Antarctica at a depth of 800 meters. As the researchers found, its waters "support viable microbial ecosystems."

According to a group of scientists, including professors and students of three American, one British and one Italian university, “all the evidence indicates that a variety of microorganisms live in the water of the subglacial lake.” “Many of them could use carbon dioxide as a source of carbon-based nutrition,” according to the National Science Foundation.

The program for the study of Lake Willans is organized with the support of this organization. According to Brent Christner, a professor of biology at Louisiana State University, “it sheds light on the life of microorganisms hidden under a huge ice sheet.” "This area is an unexplored part of our biosphere," he said.

Given that the ice of Antarctica hides more than 400 lakes, rivers and streams, one can assume how widespread these ecosystems are. In addition, they can have a major impact on the chemical and biological composition of the oceans washing Antarctica. The full study of scientists is published in the issue of the American journal Nature.

Source: energy-fresh.ru

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