Ancient salt crystals have trapped ancient life

Recent research has revealed that salt crystals extracted from central Australia contain ancient microorganisms trapped 830 million years ago. There is a possibility that some of these microorganisms could still be alive.

The single-celled organisms are trapped in tiny fluid pockets – smaller than the width of a human hair – in halite, or salt, extracted from sedimentary rock formations. The microorganisms lived nearly a billion years ago, either in a shallow, saline marine environment or a shallow, saline lake. Researchers discovered the ancient life by peering into the salt crystals using light microscopy; this means they did not "disturb" the fluid pockets, and the state of the life within them is unknown. Scientists have previously claimed to have revived primitive microorganisms found in salt crystals, so it is possible that the Australian organisms are also still alive.
Photo by Sara Schreder-Gomes used from the original article