Antarctica is always full of secrets. It is the coldest, driest, windiest place on Earth and the only continent on all meridians. All countries are curious and discovered about this "unknown southern continent". Due to its special geographical location and climatic conditions, no one lives here. The only permanent residents are penguins, seals, bryophytes and some protozoa.
Antarctica is currently legally administered through consultations among members of the Antarctic Treaty system. As of 2016, scientific research stations in 135 different countries have been established in Antarctica, where more than 4,000 scientists have conducted scientific experiments. With the increasing frequency of human scientific research, Antarctica is slowly uncovering its secrets.
Secrets under antarctic glaciers
Distant Antarctica is covered with white glaciers. Yes, 98% of Antarctica is covered by glaciers and the ice is 1.6 km thick. Glaciers account for 90% of the world's glaciers and up to 70% of freshwater resources. This means that if these glaciers melt, sea levels will rise by at least 60 meters, and many coastal countries and regions in the world will sink directly underwater.
Of course, Antarctica has deserts and glaciers. McMurdo Dry Valley was formed by glacier retreat. It hasn't rained in more than two million years. So it's also the driest place in Antarctica. As a result, there is no liquid water on the surface of the Antarctic continent. The entire sea is separated by glaciers. But under the thick ice, there is an unexpected world.
In recent years, scientists have discovered an amazing secret in the process of continuous exploration of Antarctica. Under the water of a frozen lake 600 kilometers from the South Pole, there are ancient signs of life, remnants of water birds and insects. It is a crustacean with super vitality. They have traveled all over the world and lived in extremely harsh environments. When they encounter extreme circumstances, their bodies automatically contract and enter an invisible state. If they are placed at room temperature and given enough water, they can be miraculously resurrected.
Scientists were amazed at such amazing creatures found under Antarctic glaciers.
A new continent 890 meters below the ice
In addition to the identifiable tardigrade insects, scientists announced in 2021 that new mysterious creatures have been discovered under the ice of the Antarctic continent, and it is impossible to determine specific information about these organisms. What is the mysterious gift of nature?
Under the icebergs of Antarctica
To better understand the situation in Antarctica, scientists drill holes in ice shelves at the edge of the Antarctic continent. When the exercise with underwater cameras reached 890 meters below the ice and the entire ocean floor at a depth of 1223 meters, they were surprised to find signs of swimming life. These biota are attached to undersea rocks without sunlight. Based on their morphological and life characteristics, scientists ruled out that they were sponge-like invertebrates. However, it is difficult to determine what kind of life can survive in such an extreme environment, which can only be transmitted through video material. Soon, they made new discoveries in the video sent back by GoPro. There is a thin film on the surface of the rock. The film may be a set of ancient bacteria.
Huw Griffiths, a biogeographer on the British Antarctic Expedition, said enthusiastically that it was an astonishing discovery. In such an extreme environment, there are so many life forms without sunlight and photosynthesis. In addition to some molluscs, there are fish, crustaceans, and even creatures that have never been seen before. The total number of species is as high as 22.
Under this isolated glacier, scientists speculate that these mysterious creatures rely on certain nutrients to synthesize nutrients needed for chemical action.
What are archaea?
Of the three types of organisms, archaea are the most special. They are physiologically and morphologically diverse, with archaea closest to primitive life forms dating back 4 billion years. Archaea also grow in a very special environment, usually occurring in extreme aquatic or terrestrial environments. For example, halogenated bacteria living at extremely high salt concentrations are found in the natural carbon surface, while sulfur bacteria grow comfortably in sulfur heat sources.
The archaea discovered by the British research team in Antarctica have a special structure. Due to the long-term isolation of external substances, all their properties are well protected during the extraction process. After research and analysis, as long as ammonia is needed as energy to absorb ammonia, produce methane, natural gas and other reagents, you can obtain the necessary nutrients for survival. In addition, this archaea also has a very special cell membrane and protein structure, so they can survive for a long time throughout the year in the low temperature environment of antarctica.
summary
Antarctica is a treasure trove, and there are so many secrets waiting for us to dig and explore. The birth of life is a miracle. No one could have imagined so many unknown life in the thousands of liquid lakes in Antarctica.
We expect scientists to surprise us more in Antarctica, but also to pay attention to protecting the entire Antarctic. After all, after we reveal the secrets of these uncharted territories, we don't know if it will bring us disaster.