Earth microbe grows in simulated Enceladus ocean chemistry
An Earth microbe grew in a lab simulation of the ocean chemistry of Saturn's moon Enceladus, reaching pH 11. Hydrogen from mineral-water reactions fueled it. The experiment tests possible habitability; it does not show that life exists on the moon.
Researchers grew an Earth methane-producing microbe in a laboratory simulation of the ocean chemistry of Saturn's moon Enceladus. The organism grew in highly alkaline conditions, up to pH 11. Hydrogen generated by reactions between minerals and water supplied its energy. The result concerns possible habitability. It does not show that life exists on Enceladus. The original author abstract and the Freie Universitaet Berlin account describe the same experiment, not independent replications.