Ancient Microbial Life Discovered in Morocco, Sparks NASA Interest

In an article published in the scientific journal Geobiology, the researchers explain the discovery dated to 571 million years ago and, in general, the functioning of ancient ecosystems. This precious material is located in the Ouarzazate region, near the town of Amane Tazgart. NASA has also developed an interest in this area, as it is little exploited. It is closely observing the geological composition of this space, which could be comparable to the planet Mars. "There is a significant accumulation of bacteria that have lived and developed in confined and extreme environments," says Professor El Albani.

The researchers worked on a 10-meter thick sedimentation layer and noted the accumulation of these bacteria. "This environment is chemically very concentrated in sodium, calcium, potassium with a circulation of thermal water at high temperature, above 150°C and relatively poor in oxygen," assures the Poitiers academic. The results obtained provide "undeniable fossil evidence that microorganisms have been able to adapt in an amazing way to very diverse environments," he adds.

According to the Poitiers academic, similar sites, like the one studied in Morocco, are important for the search for simple life (bacteria) "likely to exist on other planets," he says. In his opinion, the fossilized ancient lake presents "geobiological and environmental characteristics that could be analogous to what could be found on Mars".

This new scientific discovery could accelerate the process of inscribing this site on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, which is underway. "Science can contribute to the preservation of heritage, of our history, therefore of the past," the researcher is convinced.