Is there life on Mars? And, if so, what form would it take? The key to answering these questions may lie with the microbes that live in the deepest parts of our seas.
In the latest episode of Wild Lives, we talk to microbiologist and deep-sea explorer Jeffrey Marlow. He says that by understanding the types of extreme environments in which microbes can exist on Earth, we are then able to “go to places like Mars and look for what the geology and geochemical context is to then say, ‘Oh, these specific environments are particularly compelling.’”
“We know on Earth those same types of environments have this type of life because of the work that we and many colleagues are doing in the deep sea and other places,” he continues. “We start with the geology, which fuels all sorts of ecosystems regardless of where you’re studying them, and then begin to try to infer what type of microbes could be there.”
He adds, “If there’s anything at all [on other planets], it would be most likely on the microbial scale, right? It takes much less energy. It’s more metabolically diverse, which means it can inhabit way more different types of environments."
Jeffrey also discusses how studying the deep sea provides clues to the origins of life on Earth. “I spoke to one Japanese researcher who found these microbes in layers of sediment that were 100 million years old. And based on how densely packed it is, it doesn’t seem like anything can go in and out of that packet of sediment. So he believes and has proven that these microbes are indeed 100 million years old… It’s amazing to think about.”
In the podcast, Jeffrey also reveals what it’s like to reach a depth of 6,000m in a deep-sea submersible – and what happened when he saw a rare seven-armed octopus. You can hear the full conversation with Jeffrey in the latest episode of Wild Lives – listen below or search for Wild Lives wherever you get your podcasts.
Top image: The remotely operated vehicle R/V Falkor (too) is lowered into the sea to explore methane seeps off the coast of Chile. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
