Microorganisms in parched regions extract needed water from colonized rocks

Cyanobacteria living in rocks in Chile's Atacama Desert extract water from the minerals they colonize and, in doing so, change the phase of the material from gypsum to anhydrite. Researchers gained verification of this process through experiments, and the work points to possible strategies for humans to stay hydrated in harsh environments.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2SDrTQB