She Discovered the Oldest Water on Earth and Drank It: Here's What Happened

Seven years ago, geologists discovered flowing water in a Canadian mine about 3 kilometers deep. Tests revealed it's the oldest water ever found on Earth. The water had been isolated for millions of years and was considered the oldest ever discovered. Recently, a geologist who participated in the study decided to take a sip, and many wondered about the taste and whether it was safe to drink.

"When people think of this water, they assume it's just a tiny amount trapped inside rock," Professor Lollar told BBC. "But it gushed out directly. It flowed at a liter per minute - much more than anyone expected."

The team found traces of life once present in the water. "By examining the sulfur in the water, we could see a 'fingerprint' indicating life," she added. "We determined that the signature we see in the fluids had to have been produced by microbiology - which takes a very long time. The microbes that created this signature couldn't have done it overnight. It must be evidence that organisms were present in these fluids over geological time."

Since they evolved without light, the bacteria survived via substrates produced through radiation. One researcher studying the phenomenon was Long Li, an assistant professor in the Earth department at the University of Alberta. He stated, "The sulfur in this ancient water isn't modern sulfur found in surface water that seeps down. We discovered that the sulfur, like hydrogen, was actually produced on-site through a chemical reaction between the water and rock. This means the reaction occurred naturally and can continue as long as the water and rock remain in contact."

What most people wanted to know was what the water tasted like that the geologist decided to drink. There was indeed an answer. Professor Lollar responded: "If you're a geologist and you've worked with rocks, you've probably 'licked' water off them. The water was very salty and bitter, much saltier than seawater."