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Scientists Discover Microbial Life 2.4 Km Underground in Depths of a Canadian Mine
DAVID NIELD 28 AUG 2019
Amongst all of Earth's abundant life, microorganisms have proven time and time again that they can live just about anywhere. Now, we have more evidence to add to the pile: living microbes have been found some 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) below the surface in a Canadian mine, a long way away from sunlight and clean air.
Researchers think that it's the presence of sulphates in the ancient underground water that's keeping these microscopic life forms alive; they're 'breathing' the sulphates to survive, rather than relying on oxygen.
The cave water itself is actually one of the oldest known pools of water on Earth, cut off from the surface of the planet for millions of years.
Finding life down at these depths would have been considered impossible until quite recently, due to the lack of the chemical ingredients that normally support living things.
More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-microbial-life-2-4-kilometres-deep-inside-a-canadian-mine