Gushing from a glacier, rust-stained Blood Falls contains evidence that microbes have
survived in prehistoric seawater deep under ice for perhaps millions of years, a new study says.
The colony of microscopic life-forms may have been trapped when Antarctica’s then advancing
Taylor Glacier reached into the ocean 1.5 to 4 million years ago.What’s more, the tiny organisms’ feeding habits apparently give the falls their shocking color.
Blood Falls, Scientists Jump
For decades researchers have been intrigued by Blood Falls, which incongruously spills from one of
the driest parts of Antarctica, the aptly named Dry Valleys.
“The Dry Valleys are all brown,” said study leader Jill Mikucki of Dartmouth College.
“You might see some white ice and blue skies—and then here’s this bright red waterfall.
It invokes a lot of curiosity.”
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Environmentalists have to get creative to keep attention focused on this important issue. Talks have been at an impasse over the extent of curbs on carbon emissions from coal plants and factories and over how much wealthier countries would provide in financial assistance to developing nations to cope with the effects of global warming. – Millie