A scientist finds the oldest water in the world and tests it: the “footprint” that shocked her (video)

This discovery has exceeded all expectations regarding the volume of this ancient water.

In pioneer Discoverya group of geologists led by Prof Barbara Sherwood Lollarhas been highlighted Oldest water In the world. It is estimated that this ancient water, located about 3 kilometers underground, ranges from… 1,5 And 2.64 billion years. This discovery was not only remarkable for its age, but also for the amount of water.

Professor Sherwood Lollar, in an interview with BBC News, expressed her astonishment at this discovery. Contrary to expectations of finding a negligible amount, the team was confronted water Which was flowing at high rates, measured in liters per minute.

In addition, the team discovered signs of ancient life within these waters. By analyzing sulfates in the water, they discovered a “fingerprint” indicating past microbial life. According to Sherwood Lollar, this signature indicates that microorganisms were present in these waters over an extended geological time scale. Microbes have been able to survive in the absence of light by using substrates produced by radiation.

Long Li, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta, explained that the sulfate and hydrogen found in this ancient water were produced at the site, through interactions between the water and the surrounding rocks. This process can continue for billions of years as long as the water remains in contact with the rocks.

This extraordinary discovery not only expands the boundaries of understanding the Earth's geological and biological history, but also captures the imagination, linking scientific inquiry directly with human curiosity and sensory experience.