Extremophiles have been found depths of 6.7 km inside the Earth's crust, more than 10 km deep inside the ocean—at pressures of up to 110 MPa; from extreme acid (pH 0) to extreme basic conditions (pH 12.8); and from hydrothermal vents at 122 °C to frozen sea water, at −20 °C.07-Aug-2013
Where do extremophiles live on Earth?
Extremophiles are organisms that live in "extreme environments," under high pressure and temperature. Bacteria often form on the rocks near the hydrothermal vents. Pictured is the Sully Vent in the Main Endeavour Vent Field, NE Pacific. A bed of tube worms cover the base of the black smoker.
What extreme environments can extremophiles live in?
Extremophiles are organisms that have been discovered on Earth that survive in environments that were once thought not to be able to sustain life. These extreme environments include intense heat, highly acidic environments, extreme pressure and extreme cold.
Can extremophiles live on Mars?
The martian surface is considered extremely hostile even to extremophiles, but many researchers think that such organisms could easily still exist below the surface, especially given the recent discovery of a salty subsurface lake deep below ice near the south pole, the first time that liquid water has been confirmed …
What are some of the most extreme environments on Earth in which microbes have been found?
Microbes cling to life in some of Earth's most extreme environments, from toxic hot springs to high-altitude deserts. These 'extremophiles' include organisms that can survive near-boiling heat or near-freezing cold, high pressure or high salt, as well as environments steeped in acids, alkalis, metals or radioactivity.
Where do scientists find archaebacteria?
Habitats of the archaea Archaea are microorganisms that define the limits of life on Earth. They were originally discovered and described in extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot springs. They were also found in a diverse range of highly saline, acidic, and anaerobic environments.
Where do extremophiles live how do they get the energy they need for survival?
(PhysOrg.com) — A new study published in this week's issue of Nature reports the discovery of "extremophile" microbes living only on the energy produced by formate reactions in deep ocean vents.
Are polar bears extremophiles?
Extremophiles include multicellular organisms, cold-lovers include vertebrates such as penguins and polar bears.
Can extremophiles live on other planets?
Some extremophiles can live unprotected in space for several days; others can endure for years, but only by carving out a home inside rocks. These findings underpin the theory that life as we know it can transfer between planets within meteorites or comets.
What microorganisms can survive on Mars?
The surviving species included Staphylococcus capitis and Salinisphaera shabanensis. The first is a bacteria associated with human skin and the second is a bacteria that can be found in deep-sea brine pools.