Oxygen-deprived underwater zones may not be "dead zones" but clue to early life

Scientists have found that areas of the seafloor with low oxygen levels, previously thought to be lifeless, may actually harbor early forms of life. These zones, known as oxygen-deprived or 'dead' zones, are found in areas with limited water circulation, such as near seamounts or in the abyssal plains. Researchers analyzed sediment cores from these areas and found microorganisms that can survive in low-oxygen environments. The study suggests that these microorganisms may be an early form of life on Earth, potentially dating back billions of years. The discovery challenges the idea that life requires oxygen to thrive and raises questions about the origins of life on Earth.