Michigan (Web Desk): Hundreds of feet beneath the Earth’s surface, inside rocks and water, a complex system of life exists where fungi and other microscopic organisms together form a complete ecological network.
A new study by the University of Michigan has revealed that the number of fungi present in Earth’s deep environments is far greater than scientists previously estimated.
During the research led by doctoral student Quinn Moon, experts analyzed water samples obtained from gas wells located approximately 1,640 feet beneath the Earth’s surface.
Using genetic methods and microscopy, researchers identified 689 types of fungi, including 13 species that had never been scientifically documented before.
According to experts, a single drop of water contained around 250 fungal cells, while their number could exceed 12 trillion in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Researchers also discovered other complex organisms in the underground environment, including tardigrades and tiny worms.
Scientists say these organisms together form a real underground food system, where some creatures serve as food for others, while some may live parasitically.
The research has been published in the scientific journal ISME Journal.