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Writer Fuel: Scientists Discover Really Old DNA Under Antarctic Seafloor

Antarctica - Pixabay

DNA from ancient microorganisms, some of which dates back to roughly 1 million years ago, has been discovered beneath the seafloor in Antarctica. The DNA is the oldest ever discovered from seafloor sediments, a new study shows.

Scientists accidentally collected the unusual genetic samples, known as sedimentary ancient DNA or sedaDNA, up to 584 feet (178 meters) beneath the seafloor as part of a 2019 survey led by the International Ocean Discovery Program in the Scotia Sea north of mainland Antarctica. In the new study, which was published online Oct. 2 in the journal Nature Communications (opens in new tab), researchers analyzed the sedaDNA samples for the first time.

The team looked closely at damage patterns within the recovered DNA fragments to establish exactly how old they were. The oldest fragments clocked in at around 1 million years old. Until now, the oldest sedaDNA, which was found locked inside Arctic permafrost, dated to around 650,000 years ago, Science Alert (opens in new tab) reported.

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