Under the Mariana trench found traces of life
An international group of researchers suggested that ten kilometers under the bottom of the Mariana trench there is life. This is indicated by traces of organisms found in the samples of serpentine from hydrothermal sources. This was reported on the website Phys.org.
The scientists extracted the 46 samples using a remotely operated unmanned underwater vehicles in close proximity of a mud volcano, South Chamorro.
This underwater mountain is composed of serpentinite — dense rock which is formed when igneous minerals are oxidized sea water, pushed deep into the subduction zone. This chemical reaction produces methane and hydrogen, which can be sources of energy for microbial life.
Serpentine, who analyzed the researchers came to the surface of the bottom of the Mariana trench through hydrothermal vents. Scientists discovered in the minerals small amounts of organic substances, which are similar to those formed by germs. Given these previous works, which showed that serpentine formed ten kilometers under the bottom of the basin, experts have received the approximate depth of living organisms.
However, the researchers emphasize that organic matter might also occur as a result of processes not involving living beings.