(ORDO NEWS) — Scientists from the University of Colorado have discovered that climbers leave behind a frozen microbial trail on Everest.
In their work, scientists analyzed samples taken from a parking lot at an altitude of 8 thousand km.
At this point, climbers make their last camp before climbing the mountain. It is convenient because it is a rocky gorge between Everest and the top of Lhotse, blown by winds and free from snow.
Previously, researchers could not identify microbes in soil samples from this site.
Now, however, with the help of modern gene sequencing technologies, scientists have been able to identify the microorganisms left behind by humans.
The team also collected soil samples in other cold places on the planet, but nowhere else could they find the same amount of human microbes as on Everest.
The authors were surprised that some microbes, which mostly live in warm and humid environments, have changed and survived in harsh conditions.
Bacteria from this footprint can withstand harsh conditions at high altitudes and persist in the soil for decades and even centuries.
According to scientists, the results of their work will help to better understand where life can exist on other planets or cold moons.
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