Under the sea ice during the Arctic’s pitch-black polar night, cells power photosynthesis on the lowest light levels ever observed in nature....
Read Full Article »These Plants Photosynthesize Deep in the Arctic Even When There’s No Light
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Summary
In the depths of Arctic sea ice during the polar night, a peculiar phenomenon is occurring. Microorganisms are harnessing energy through photosynthesis, albeit at incredibly low light levels.
This is the lowest recorded level of light in natural environments, rendering it one of the most inhospitable conditions for life as we know it.The existence of these extremophile organisms raises questions about the resilience and adaptability of ecosystems. Can they provide insights into more sustainable ways of harnessing energy or developing new technologies?
The answer may lie in understanding how these microbes have adapted to such extreme conditions.However, climate change poses a significant threat to these unique ecosystems, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of these microbial communities and having far-reaching consequences for global biodiversity.