Scientists thought there were only two species of creatures living in this salt lake, but they were very wrong – it’s incredible what they discovered at its bottom

Certain types of single-celled organisms – bacteria and algae – also breed in the extremely salty water of the lake.

In the findings of the latest study, scientists say they have discovered a third multicellular life form perfectly adapted to living in incredibly salty water, reports the University of Utah.

Researchers at the University of Utah have confirmed that the lake’s depths are teeming with worms of all kinds after breaking down chunks of calcium carbonate called microbialites, which are formed by microorganisms on the lake floor.

According to study leaders Julie Jung and Michael Werner, this is the saltiest environment (3-6 times saltier than the ocean) in which nematodes have ever been found. It is nematodes that are usually found in the most extreme corners of the planet Earth.

Research in the lake was carried out in the spring of 2021. The scientists collected samples from different segments of the sediment, and when they noticed microbialites, they took samples and brought them to the laboratory.

All samples were found to be full of live nematodes.

Scientists suspect that these worms feed on bacteria, and the layer of sediment protects the worms from the sun and drought.

Genetic analysis showed that as many as 80 different nematodes were collected from brackish and ultra-saline areas of the lake. Three of them belonged to a genus that lives in marine and coastal sediments. However, most of the remaining worms did not match any other known genus or species of nematode.

Scientists believe that these newly discovered worms are unique inhabitants of the Great Salt Lake, emerging after a long period of reproductive isolation. However, they may soon disappear forever.

Today, the Great Salt Lake is just a remnant of what it once was – the climate is changing, the shores of the lake are receding, the water is decreasing, the concentration of salt is increasing.

The lake is believed to have less than five years left before its ecosystem is completely destroyed. According to scientists, it is necessary to study this vital ecosystem and the limits of its viability as soon as possible.

Prepared by IFLScience, The University of Utah, ScienceAlert, Delphi arch. inf.