The Lost City is an extraordinary underwater ecosystem located over 700 meters deep near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Discovered by researchers in 2000, the site is characterized by imposing limestone structures resembling underwater cathedrals. Jagged carbonate towers with creamy blue walls appear as phantom figures in images captured by remotely operated vehicles, creating a surreal landscape shaped by chemical reactions between seawater and the Earth's mantle.
This hydrothermal field raises many questions about the origin of life due to its rich ecosystem sustained by constant chemical reactions. The fissures and crevices of the chimneys in the Lost City teem with microbial life, supported by conditions that allow communities to thrive in the absence of oxygen, as reported by Futura Sciences. These bacteria, mainly found on columns of calcite, feed primarily on hydrocarbons produced by the chimneys.
Unlike underwater volcanic vents known as black smokers, the Lost City ecosystem does not depend on magma heat. The calcite vents and chimneys are larger than those of black smokers, suggesting prolonged activity over time. While black smokers produce minerals rich in iron and sulfur, the chimneys of the Lost City generate up to 100 times more hydrogen and methane, as noted by Scienze Notizie.
The most imposing monolith in the Lost City is named Poseidon in homage to the Greek god of the oceans and rises over 60 meters in height. Northeast of the Poseidon tower, a cliff exhibits brief bursts of activity, with vents that cry fluids, creating delicate carbonate formations.
Despite extreme conditions, the Lost City is home to diverse fauna. The surrounding waters host more complex species, although larger animals such as crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, and eels are rare. This ecosystem reveals a world where life thrives in harsh environments.
For over 120,000 years, the Earth's mantle in the Lost City region has interacted with seawater, generating hydrogen, methane, and other dissolved gases. These hydrocarbons are formed independently of atmospheric carbon dioxide or sunlight, suggesting that life could emerge under conditions very different from those on the surface of the Earth.
Scientists believe that such conditions conducive to the emergence of life could exist on the moons of Saturn and Jupiter—Enceladus and Europa—and perhaps even on Mars in the past.
In 2018, Poland obtained rights to extract minerals in the deep sea around the Lost City, sparking concern among the scientific community. Although the hydrothermal field itself lacks precious resources, extraction activities in the surrounding areas could have disastrous consequences for the fragile ecosystem, including pollution that threatens its unique habitat, according to Futura Sciences.
Many scientists advocate for the Lost City to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. International recognition would help protect this natural laboratory. Preserving the Lost City is crucial to deepen our understanding of the origins of life, especially given the ecosystem that could be compromised by extraction activities.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.