Scientists in the US have discovered a newly identified phylum of microbes thriving up to 70 feet underground, which help purify groundwater and could offer clues for filtering pollutants from drinking water.
The study, led by James Tiedje, PhD, a university distinguished professor emeritus and director of the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Microbial Ecology, identified the microbe phylum called CSP1-3 in soil samples from Iowa and China in Earth’s Critical Zone.
Both sites have deep, similar soils, which can help determine whether the microbes occur more broadly than in just one location. “The Critical Zone extends from the tops of trees down through the soil to depth up to 700 feet,” Tiedje says.
“This zone supports most life on the planet as it regulates essential processes like soil formation, water cycling and nutrient cycling, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health,” he continues. “Despite its importance, the deep Critical Zone is a new frontier because it’s a major part of the Earth that is relatively unexplored.”
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