Thousands of Microscopic Fungal Cells Discovered Hundreds of Meters Underground
University of Michigan researchers have detected thousands of microscopic fungal cells in rock water hundreds of meters underground.
Researchers led by the University of Michigan have discovered thousands of microscopic fungal cells in water samples from Late Devonian rocks in the Michigan Basin.
Underground Water Samples Examined
The team, led by the University of Michigan, collected water samples from six gas wells in the Antrim Shale rock formation within the Michigan Basin. These samples from rocks dating back approximately 359 to 383 million years were transported to the laboratory to examine microscopic life.
Thousands of Microbial Cells Detected
Detailed analyses revealed a total of 41,000 to 69,000 microbial cells per milliliter of water. It was determined that thousands of these cells possessed a direct fungal structure.
Single-Cell Structures Stood Out
It was observed that the vast majority of the detected fungal biomass consisted of single-celled structures rather than the usual long fungal filaments. Fungi make up approximately one-fifth of the total underground microbial biomass.
New Isolates Cultivated in the Laboratory
The researchers succeeded in cultivating 205 fungal isolates in a laboratory environment, and genetic examinations revealed that they grouped into numerous distinct categories.
Possibility of Unknown Taxa
While broader DNA analyses identified numerous operational taxonomic units, it is considered that some of the groups cultivated in the laboratory may be previously unidentified fungal taxa.
Carbon Cycle and Future Research
The presence of fungi underground, which can break down resistant organic matter on the surface, indicates that these organisms may play a role in the transformation of carbon stored in rocks. However, further research is needed to understand their precise roles.