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News Release 18-110
Deep biosphere beneath the seafloor explored at American Geophysical Union fall meeting
Scientists present recent findings on ‘dark energy’ in the subsurface biosphere
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Scientists have found that rocks beneath the seafloor are teeming with microbial life.
Credit: Nicolle Rager-Fuller/NSF
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Basalt rocks on and under the ocean bottom harbor abundant deep-sea bacteria.
Credit: WHOI
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The ocean research drillship JOIDES Resolution is used to obtain samples from beneath the seafloor.
Credit: IODP
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A view from the deck of the drillship JOIDES Resolution; deep below lies the seafloor.
Credit: IODP
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A watertight seafloor well is used to take samples from aquifers deep beneath the ocean.
Credit: WHOI
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"Dark energy" is found in ocean depths; life abounds above and below the seafloor.
Credit: WHOI
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