Antarctic Lake Vostok: Life Exists In Organisms And Fish Despite Extreme Pressure, Lack Of Light, And Toxic Levels Of Oxygen? ‘Shows Tenacity Of Life,’ Biologist Says

Antarctic Lake Vostok is one of the largest lakes in the world and is buried almost 3 miles under the surface of Antarctica. Due to its depth, the lake has been sealed from air for 15 million years and thought to be inhospitable to living organisms. Now, scientists believe life exists in the lake, through some complex organisms.

Scientists have spent years drilling down to Lake Vostok's subglacial surface, The United Press International reports.

"We found much more complexity than anyone thought," said Scott Rogers, a biologist at Bolwing Green State University involved in the project. "It really shows the tenacity of life, and how organisms can survive in places where a couple dozen years ago we thought nothing could survive."

The lake has icy temperatures, extreme pressure, and no exposure to light. It also contains toxically high levels of oxygen, and most researchers believed the lake was sterile and inhospitable due to these conditions.

But now a study published in the PLoS One journal shows that scientists examined RNA genetic material found in the ice, and found that 94 percent of the RNA matched known sequences of bacteria, and six percent matched sequences of multi-cellular organisms, The United Press International reports.

The genetic material examined from ice near the lake's surface in Antarctica is connected to organisms like mollusks, crustaceans and even fish. Some of the bacteria is what is commonly found in fish guts, suggesting there could be fish in the subterranean lake, The Daily Mail reports.

"Most of the organisms appear to be aquatic (freshwater), and many are species that usually live in ocean or lake sediments," Rogers said.

However, researchers warned that the material may come from past contamination, or carried into the lake from the ocean via subglacial rivers in the region.

A theory is that volcanic hydrothermal vents exist in Lake Vostok, allowing life to survive beneath miles of ice.

"Hydrothermal vents could provide sources of energy and nutrients vital for organisms living in the lake," the scientists said, according to The Daily Mail.

This research provides a glimpse of the planet before the Ice Age, in which thousands of tiny organisms could exist in harsh climates, The Daily Mail reports.