What Are Deep-Sea Brines and How Are They Formed?

The Red Sea is unique! It is growing by a few millimeters every year. In a few million years it will become a full-fledged ocean, like the Atlantic or the Pacific. The Red Sea is growing because of the separation of the Arabian and African tectonic plates. The gap left between these plates, which is in the middle of the Red Sea, is filled by patches of new oceanic crust. As oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, these patches create deep spots called deeps (a deeper area or hole in the seafloor) and are scattered across the mid-section of the Red Sea [1].

The movement of the earth’s crust happening under the Red Sea exposes massive buried deposits of salt. The deposits were formed from the drying of a prehistoric ocean that existed in this area. The seawater dissolves some of the salt and becomes a brine, which is very salty water. Salinity, which is the word for the measure of saltiness, can increase by up to 7-fold in the brines. These brines are heavy, so they concentrate at the bottom of the sea and accumulate in the deeps formed by the oceanic crust. The high density of the brines and their sheltered location in the deeps prevents them from mixing with seawater. Because of this, deep-sea brines are very stable and look like underwater lakes. They even have waves across their surfaces and beaches at their rims. In addition to higher salinity, brines have other differences from seawater: they have no oxygen and have higher amounts of metals and other elements. Brines also have a lower pH than seawater and a higher temperature.

An Accidental Discovery

Deep-sea brines were accidentally discovered in the 1950s, when researchers collected a deep-sea water sample that was much saltier and warmer than usual. Follow-up surveys discovered at least 25 different deep-sea brines scattered across the center of the Red Sea (Figure 1). Each brine is unique due to differences in local geology, age, and differences in heating from the earth’s crust [1]. Atlantis II is the biggest (over 80 km²), the hottest (68.2°C), and one of the oldest brines. On the other extreme, Kebrit is the smallest (2.5 km²), the coldest (23.3°C), and one of the youngest brines. Kebrit is also rich in sulfur and is very smelly—“kebrit” is the Arabic word for sulfur, which smells like rotten eggs.

What Lives in Deep-Sea Brines?

For a long time, researchers thought that conditions in the deep-sea brines were too extreme for life. They assumed that no organisms would be able to survive there. However, technical advances, particularly in molecular biology, allowed us to explore the brines in more detail and revealed thriving communities. Studies have found microbes, animals, and even viruses in the brines [1]. These studies have discovered many new species, some unlike any other on our planet (Figure 2). These organisms are so unique that some of these findings are equivalent to finding the very first carnivores or vertebrates!

Why Should We Study Brine Microbes?

There are more microbes in our oceans than stars in the universe [4]! Yet, more than 99% of the total microbial diversity remains unexplored. The discovery of new microbes and the study of their abilities are always exciting. We keep uncovering new ways that microbes impact our planet and all life on Earth.

Because microbes can grow in such unique conditions, those from extreme environments are often a source of valuable new molecules. Their range of applications is so wide that these molecules are seen as the future solutions on how to feed, fuel, and heal the world [5]. Microbes from the brines of the Red Sea also seem to be very useful. Some show anti-cancer activity, while others seem capable of producing bioplastics (biologically-produced plastics that do not rely on the use of oil), cleaning up oil spills, or even capturing carbon dioxide [6]. Scientists think that some of these microbes could be used to restore contaminated sites or even to prevent climate change! Studying extreme environments like the deep-sea brines also helps us to test hypotheses about the physical and chemical limits for the existence of life. These findings could aid researchers looking for life elsewhere in the universe.

To Infinity and Beyond!

Astrobiology is a new science combining many different fields, including biology, geology, chemistry, and planetary sciences. Its main goal is the search for life outside our planet. Currently Mars, Jupiter’s moon Europa, and Saturn’s moon Enceladus are the top candidates when looking for extraterrestrial life (Figure 3). The extreme conditions that exist in those places are not very different from some extreme places on Earth [7]. The presence of water, which is essential for life, is very likely on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus, and that water probably has high salinity like that found in the brines of the Red Sea. Astrobiology also studies the limits of life—how extreme do conditions have to be before life cannot possibly exist? This goal can be aided by the exploration of extreme environments on Earth. Findings from these extreme terrestrial environments can help us prepare for future space missions looking for life.

The deep-sea brines of the Red Sea are important astrobiological sites [7]. They resemble the predicted conditions at the bottom of the oceans of Europa and Enceladus. They are a source of microbes that have been picked as priority targets for astrobiological studies. Several of these microbes are being tested in simulation chambers and in balloon trips to the upper layers of earth’s atmosphere. A selected few will even be sent to the International Space Station for space-exposure experiments. These studies will allow us to see if these microbes can survive and grow when exposed to space or to conditions found on Mars.

Conclusion

The deep-sea brines of the Red Sea are amazing, extreme environments unlike any other on our planet. These brines are important for many different fields. They are a source of exotic new microbes, new applications, and are also useful in the search for extraterrestrial life. We have only just started to explore deep-sea brines and their inhabitants and can expect many new findings in the near future.

Glossary

Tectonic Plates: ↑ Large pieces of the Earth’s crust shifting or moving around, sometimes. Bumping into one another or moving away from each other.

Molecular Biology: ↑ The study of living things based on their molecules (such as DNA or proteins) rather than the whole organism.

Extreme Environment: ↑ Place with conditions that are very different from the ones that we are able to live in. Some examples include high or low temperatures, acidic or alkaline conditions, high pressure, or high salinity.

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.