Lake Vida (Antarctica)

Geologist walking in Lade Vida region
Image © 2003 National Geographic

Another God and natural life bookmark Antarctic lake

The discovery of microbes thriving in the salty, sub-zero conditions of an Antarctic lake could raise the prospects for life on the Solar System's icy moons.

Researchers found a diverse community of bugs living in the lake's dark environment, at temperatures of -13C.

Furthermore, they say the lake's life forms have been sealed off from the outside world for some 2,800 years.

Details of the work have been outlined in the journal PNAS.

Lake Vida, the largest of several unique lakes found in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, contains no oxygen, is acidic, mostly frozen and possesses the highest nitrous oxide levels of any natural water body on Earth.
Paul Rincon
BBC Science & Environment 27.11.2012

For more images and a map showing the location of Lake Vida see this link