An exciting discovery in the Gulf of Aqaba could offer new insights into the origins of life on Earth. Scientists are studying unique brine pools found about 4,000 feet below the surface, which may resemble conditions that led to the first life forms.
The Gulf of Aqaba is bordered by Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. It’s a narrow stretch of water, just 98 miles long and between seven to 14 miles wide. This area is not only significant for its geography but also for its connection to the biblical story of Moses parting the Red Sea, which is thought to have occurred nearby.
These brine pools are vital for research. Sam Purkis, a geosciences professor at the University of Miami, emphasizes their importance. He notes that life on Earth likely began in deep-sea environments that were rich in microorganisms. The unusual brine pools are home to extremophiles—microbes that thrive in extreme conditions devoid of oxygen and filled with salt.
Studying these microbes helps scientists understand the early Earth, allowing them to explore potential life in similar environments on other planets. Interestingly, compounds with antibacterial and anticancer properties have been found in these microbes, hinting at their medical potential.
Finding these brine pools is significant because such environments are rare. There are only a few known brine pools worldwide, located primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, and now the Red Sea. The pools discovered in the Gulf of Aqaba, called the ‘NEOM Brine Pools,’ extend the known range of this unique habitat and help scientists learn about past climatic and geological events.
This specific discovery is noteworthy as previous findings required researchers to go farther out to sea, at least 15.5 miles offshore. In contrast, these pools are only 1.25 miles from land. Purkis noted that these brine pools are filled with life, forming a rich ecosystem thriving in conditions typically considered uninhabitable. Fish, shrimp, and eels use the brine to hunt, but they risk being stunned or killed if they venture into the pools.
The brine pools also preserve sediment layers intact, unlike other seabeds disrupted by marine life. This unique environmental aspect could help scientists recreate ancient ecosystems and understand parallels with “water worlds” found in our solar system.
In summary, the Gulf of Aqaba not only plays a role in history but has now opened a new chapter in understanding life’s beginnings. As research continues, scientists hope to learn even more from these extraordinary underground habitats.
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Science, Earth
