New Delhi:
Deep into the unknown surface of earth, untouched by the water table, world’s oldest known water has been discovered by scientists. This oldest water on earth dates back to about two billion years and may also hold significant clues to life forms living far beneath the surface of red planet- Mars or other alien planets.
Researchers from University of Toronto have been working in tandem with mining companies to gain more knowledge about isolated water in the Canadian shield.
Earlier in 2013, researchers had found a water sample from mine that subsequently dated back to 1.5 billion years ago.
This new record holder was found at three kilometers deeper. Researchers determined the age of water samples by studying dissolved gases, Phys.org reported.
It was also reported that the samples they obtained came from a comparatively larger source that was flowing out of the ground at a rate of several litres per minute.
Sulphate was discovered in the water that had naturally come from interactions between water and the rocks around it. Thus, the discovered water was capable of sustaining life.
This discovery may prove to be of immense importance to scientists trying to decode the prospects of life sustenance on Mars.
