Discovery: Antarctic bacteria survive by "feeding” on air

A team of researchers from Australia has discovered that bacteria in Antarctica can survive by consuming gases from the atmosphere and withstanding extreme temperature variations, providing crucial clues about the limits of life on Earth, reports Xinhua. The study was conducted by researchers from Monash University and published in The ISME Journal. According to the research: the bacteria can survive in a range of 95 degrees Celsius; remain active in both winter (-20 degrees Celsius) and summer (approx. 4 degrees Celsius) temperatures; in laboratory conditions, they continued to consume hydrogen even at +75 degrees Celsius. Lead author, Tess Hutchinson, said the discovery shows that these microorganisms are not strictly limited by the cold environment in which they live.

The researchers identified a key mechanism called aerotrophy, by which the bacteria: consume atmospheric gases such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide;

obtain their energy without relying on traditional organic sources; and remain active year-round. This process allows them to survive even in the harsh conditions of Antarctic winters, characterized by extreme cold and lack of light.

• Implications: Life in extreme conditions and climate change

Study co-author Ry Holland compared the phenomenon to an unusual situation:

"It's a bit like seeing a penguin thriving in a tropical jungle.”

The analogy highlights the surprising adaptability of these microorganisms.

The discovery has important implications: it explains how life persists in some of the most hostile environments on Earth; it suggests that aerotrophy is a widespread strategy in Antarctica; and it indicates that the activity of these bacteria could increase with global warming. The team reached these conclusions by measuring gas consumption in the laboratory and in the field, as well as by sequencing microbial DNA.