An Abundance of Life , Could Survive in the Dark , of the Deep Ocean, Study Suggests.<br />Emerging research suggests that a process called chemosynthesis, which allows for life deep in the oceans, <br />is far more abundant than previously thought.<br />Rather than using photosynthesis to store energy, <br />some microbes rely solely on the oxidation of inorganic <br />molecules, a process known as chemosynthesis.<br />Rather than using photosynthesis to store energy, <br />some microbes rely solely on the oxidation of inorganic <br />molecules, a process known as chemosynthesis.<br />ScienceAlert reports that the potential source of <br />energy was speculated to exist in the 19th century, <br />though it was not confirmed until the 1970s. .<br />Previously, it was believed that the rare process <br />only occurred in extreme habitats.<br />According to a team of researchers from Monash University <br />in Australia, there is evidence that the process is <br />the primary way of life for invisible marine microbes.<br />Hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fact 'fed' <br />microbes in all regions we've looked at: from <br />urban bays to around tropical islands <br />to hundreds of meters below the surface, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.<br />Some can even be found beneath <br />Antarctica's ice shelves, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.<br />ScienceAlert points out that molecular <br />hydrogen is a convenient source of energy <br />found in a wide variety of ecosystems. .<br />According to the authors of the study, hydrogen must be <br />an important energy source for bacteria in seawater, <br />particularly in the deepest, darkest depths.<br />The first life probably emerged in deep-sea <br />vents using hydrogen, not sunlight, as the <br />energy source. It's incredible that, 3.7 billion <br />years later, so many microbes in the oceans <br />are still using this high-energy gas and <br />we've completely overlooked this until now, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.<br />The first life probably emerged in deep-sea <br />vents using hydrogen, not sunlight, as the <br />energy source. It's incredible that, 3.7 billion <br />years later, so many microbes in the oceans <br />are still using this high-energy gas and <br />we've completely overlooked this until now, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert
