Scientists discover thriving fungal ecosystem 1,640 feet beneath Michigan

Fungal colonies from deep subsurface water samples. PIC COURTESY/University of Michigan

Deep underground in Michigan, a University of Michigan study led by doctoral candidate Quinn Moon discovered a thriving, diverse fungal ecosystem 1640 feet below the surface.

Analysing water from gas wells, researchers identified 689 fungal species - 13 previously unknown - with cell densities reaching roughly 250 cells per drop, comparable to seawater.

The environment also harbored complex organisms like tardigrades ("water bears") and microscopic segmented worms.

These findings demonstrate that fungal abundance in the deep subsurface is far greater than previously believed, forming an intricate subterranean food web driven by predation and parasitism.

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