An international group of scientists has identified a thriving ecosystem in one of Earth's most extreme environments: Lake Enigma, located in the northern foothills of Victoria Land, Antarctica. This lake, covered by 14 meters of permanent ice, has revealed a vast body of liquid water that hosts a previously unknown microbial ecosystem.
Discovered in 1989 and initially thought to be completely frozen, Lake Enigma has emerged as a hidden treasure beneath layers of ice. New research conducted between November 2019 and January 2020 confirmed, through radar studies, the presence of stratified liquid water beneath its surface.
The project, funded by the National Antarctic Research Program, enabled scientists to drill through the thick ice layer and utilize underwater cameras to explore the ecosystem of the water body. These advanced techniques uncovered a surprising environment rich in life forms adapted to isolation, redefining knowledge about habitability in extreme conditions.
Among the notable findings is the presence of Patescibacteria—ultra-small bacteria identified through DNA analysis in water samples. This microbial group had never before been recorded in subglacial environments. Additionally, researchers documented unique microbial mats: colonial films up to 40 centimeters tall and 60 centimeters in diameter, highlighting the diversity of life in this lake.
Interestingly, cyanobacteria, common in other Antarctic environments, are almost absent in the water column and ice of Lake Enigma, although they are found in the microbial mats at the bottom. This adds a level of complexity to the ecosystem, which may include symbiotic or predatory relationships within its food web.
This discovery not only has implications for understanding the extremes of life on Earth but could also be key in the search for life on other worlds. Similar environments may exist on icy moons like Europa of Jupiter or Enceladus of Saturn, where subsurface oceans could harbor microorganisms.