Mariana Trench: Deepest ocean 'teems with microbes'

An international team of scientists found that the very bottom of the Mariana Trench, which lies almost 11km (7 miles) down in the Pacific Ocean, had high levels of microbial activity.

The underwater canyon was once thought to be too hostile an environment for life to exist.

But this study adds to a growing body of evidence that a range of creatures can cope with the near-freezing temperatures, immense pressures and complete darkness.

In 2010, the scientists sent an unmanned submersible down into the vast underwater canyon, where it collected samples of the murky sediment that cakes the sea floor.

An analysis of the levels of oxygen in the sample revealed the presence of a large number of microbes.

For the full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21806406

For the excellent article: 'RACE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MARIANAS TRENCH ' FULL STORY CLICK THE LINK: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17041438