Scientists have discovered an aquatic region on the Earth with a total absence of any types of life forms, a development that may prompt an improved comprehension of habitability limits. The research, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, uncovered that any type of microbial life was missing in the hot, saline, hyperacid lakes of the Dallol geothermal field in Ethiopia.
Researchers mentioned that the landscape of Dallol extends to a volcanic cavity loaded with salt, always discharging toxic gases with water bubbling amidst the intense hydrothermal activity. They also mentioned that it is one of the most torrid conditions on earth with temperatures in winter surpassing 45 degrees Celsius. The region has many hypersaline and hyperacid pools, with pH from 0 to 14, even going negative.
Prior studies said that specific microorganisms can form in this multi-extraordinary environment condition and scientists introduced the spot as an instance of limits of conditions that are able to bolster life. The scientists said the spot was even proposed as an earthly analogue of early Mars.
The scientists found an assorted variety of salt loving microorganisms in the desert, and the saline gulches around the hydrothermal site however not in the hyperacid and hypersaline pools, nor at rich in magnesium black and Yellow pools of Dallol.
The specialists affirmed the discoveries with a few different techniques including an enormous scale sequencing of genetic markers to recognize and classify microorganisms, microbial culture endeavors, utilizing fluorescent probes to distinguish singular cells, substance investigation of the hypersaline waters.
They likewise utilized scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy to get into the water samples looking for signs of life. As per researchers, the study helps in understanding the limits of habitability and also helps in presenting evidence that there are places on the surface of the Earth that are sterile, even though they contain liquid water. They also mentioned that the presence of liquid water on a planet does not directly imply the presence of life.
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