Red Sea brine pools hold secrets about life's limits

Scientists discovered brine pools in the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba, challenging previous assumptions about their formation and potential for life. This finding suggests a broader distribution of these unique environments. The 2022 discovery revealed brine pools in shallower waters than previously known, indicating that similar environments might exist elsewhere. These pools, with their extreme salinity and lack of oxygen, offer insights into the limits of life on Earth. The research, published in Nature Communications, could inform the search for life on other planets. The study highlights the importance of understanding Earth's extreme environments to determine the potential for life beyond our planet.