Scientists from the University of Toronto (Canada) made an amazing discovery when they collected soil samples from the highest peak in the world, install Everest. They found a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that were brought back by climbers who explore it every year, and this could cast doubt on future discoveries in places off Earth.

These “germs” are preserved in the ice of the mountain, making them difficult to study and a warning when mankind sets foot on the ice again. Moon or the first time in Marssince we might as well leave “footprints” there and later “discover” them as extraterrestrial life.

Despite the difficulties of analysis, the researchers were able to collect soil samples at an altitude of 2.5 km and for the first time grow cultures of microorganisms at such a high altitude.

The most common bacteria were staphylococci and streptococci, which are generally harmless. However, some variants can cause pneumonia, sore throat, food poisoning, and skin infections.

Bacteria do not affect the ecosystem, but set a precedent

The temperature on Everest is very low, around -10°C. Under these conditions, most microorganisms cannot survive, but some are able to thrive during short periods of high water and moisture.

According to scientists, these bacteria have not yet had a negative impact on the ecosystem of the mountain. However, they draw attention to the possibility that the presence of human-introduced microorganisms not only confuses us when studying other places in space, but also harms potential life forms already existing there.

“We may find life on other planets and cold moons,” the study’s senior author said. Stephen Schmidt. “[E] We have to be careful not to infect them with our own.”

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Source: Science Alert.

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