Icy discovery in Svalbard reveals “a vibrant world of life waiting to be discovered”

A new study led by a PhD candidate affiliated with the iC3 Polar Research Hub reveals how life can adapt and flourish even in the harshest conditions – and sheds light on environments that might support life elsewhere in our solar system. 

The study focuses on the Lagoon Pingo, a unique geological feature in Svalbard where methane and carbon dioxide seep from beneath the permafrost, creating an energy-rich environment that supports a diverse microbial life. The researchers aimed to determine whether the ice above the seep could sustain microbial communities that rely on these chemical energy sources, particularly in the absence of sunlight – the energy source that powers most of life on Earth through photosynthesis. 

In March 2021, the team collected ice cores from an ice blister situated above the fluid seepage.

The results were striking. Despite temperatures below the freezing point, low oxygen levels and the absence of light, the ice cap was host to active chemolithoautotrophic bacteria.

'These remarkable organisms derive the energy they need to build their biological material from inorganic compounds rather than sunlight, allowing them to thrive in dark, cold and nutrient-poor environments.

 “Beneath the surface of the Arctic cryospheric cap lies a vibrant world of life waiting to be discovered,” said PhD researcher Lisa-Marie Delpech, the first author of the study. 

“The resilience of life in such harsh conditions serves as a powerful reminder of the adaptability of microorganisms. What we might consider extreme from a human perspective is not necessarily extreme for microorganisms. Studying these fragile ecosystems is essential as they can teach us a lot.”

The implications of this research extend far beyond the Arctic, she explains: 

“These metabolisms also help us understand the origins of life on Earth and the feedback effects of the thawing cryosphere. Our research opens up a whole new era of polar field research in environments that have long been overlooked.” 

“Understanding how life is powered in such environments that were once thought to be uninhabitable provides valuable insights into the potential for life on other icy worlds, such as beneath the ice crust of Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. This research shows us the requirements for life as we know it at its boundaries.”

In addition, her team’s findings highlight the importance of terrestrial cold seeps and the associated ice as biodiversity hotspots. These ecosystems not only support unique microbial communities but also play a significant role in local biogeochemical cycles, influencing the cycling of carbon and sulfur in the environment.

The study titled "Chemolithoautotrophic bacteria flourish at dark water-ice interfaces of an emerged Arctic cold seep" is available open access. It was produced within the framework of the iC3-affiliated project METHANICE (Methanotrophic communities in ice), which is funded by the Research Council of Norway. 

The iC3 Polar Research Hub produces ground-breaking insights into how the links between ice sheets, carbon cycles and ocean ecosystems are impacting life on Earth. If you would like to join iC3’s friendly team as a postdoctoral researcher, please get in touch.