Scientists drilling in Lake Whillans, a remote body of water buried 2,600 feet below the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, have discovered evidence of living bacteria.
The water samples were first removed from the ice sheet at 6:20am on Monday, January 28, by the U.S. research team Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling, or WISSARD. Researchers employed a quick test to analyze their samples for potential life by injecting DNA-sensitive dye into the water, and immediately found numerous individual cells glowing green.
To confirm their results the team will next place the lake water into dishes of nutrients and food to see if anything grows, which could take weeks. If and when it does, the resulting bacteria cultures may represent a new form of life, capable of surviving and reproducing without direct access to geothermal heat or sunlight.
To read more and view the video, click here.