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These light-loving bacteria may survive surprisingly deep underground

Some cyanobacteria may consume hydrogen to grow without sunlight

cyanobacteria

WHAT LURKS BENEATH  This fluorescence micrograph shows traces of cyanobacteria (pink and blue), which typically need sunlight to survive, on a mineral collected more than 600 meters underground.

F. Puente-Sánchez/PNAS 2018

By Jennifer Leman

- More than 2 years ago

Deep below Earth’s surface, life finds a way.

Traces of cyanobacteria have been found more than 600 meters underground in a rocky outcrop in Spain, suggesting the microbes can survive without sunlight.