Taking Samples For Better Understanding

Trying to get a better understanding of these creatures that survive a ‘life without light,’ Bodin took samples from the cave to study further. He explained that “Sulphuric acid actually erodes the limestone, which is gradually making the cave bigger.” He then iterates, “These bacteria get their carbon from carbon dioxide level in the cave [which] is about 100 times higher than normal air. But unlike plants, they obviously can’t ensue photosynthesis as there is no light.”

Amazing Analogies

Bodin was just as surprised as the others to realize that these creepy crawlers were surviving in a way that no other creatures known to earth happened to survive. He says, “They get the energy needed… from chemical reactions: the key ones being the oxidation of sulphide and similar sulphur ions into sulphuric acid or the oxidation of ammonium found in the ground waters to nitrate.”