While Planet Earth is believed to be the only planet in the universe that supports life forms, there is a place on it that supports none. With life forms, it implies that this place does not support even microbial life. Yes, we are hinting at Ethiopia’s Dallol geothermal field. A team of researchers from Europe confirmed that there is an absence of even microbial life forms in the hot, saline, hyperacid ponds here.
The research team that made the revelation used a number of elaborate, intensive techniques before declaring the said result. A number of chemical tests were also performed on collected samples to form the study. Lopez Garcia, a biologist, also stated that, “After analysing many more samples than in previous works, with adequate controls so as not to contaminate them and a well-calibrated methodology, we’ve verified that no there’s no microbial life in these salty, hot and hyperacid pools or in the adjacent magnesium-rich brine lakes.”
She further added that some mineral precipitates do look like microbial cells and should be analysed further. She hints that while these might look like fossilised cells, they do not necessarily indicate life form.
