Blood Falls

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Blood Falls

News: The blood falls are in the news lately because a new study claims to have solved the century-old mystery behind their origin.

What is the Blood Falls?
• The blood falls are a red-hued waterfall that emerges from the Taylor Glacier in Antarctica. They were first discovered in 1911 by a British expedition and have been a source of curiosity and mystery ever since.
• The blood-like color was initially attributed to red algae, but later studies revealed that it was caused by iron-rich water that oxidizes when exposed to air.
• Using powerful electron microscopes, the researchers found that the iron-rich water contains tiny, non-crystalline particles called nanospheres, which are produced by ancient microbes living under the glacier. These nanospheres are responsible for the red color of the water, as they oxidize faster than iron minerals.
• The study also suggests that the blood falls are a window into a hidden microbial world that has evolved for millions of years in isolation under the ice.