Canadian scientists discovered 2 billion-year-old water in Ontario’s Kidd Creek Mine, the world’s oldest known water. This groundbreaking find sheds light on Earth’s history and the possibility of life on Mars.
A Historic Discovery Beneath the Earth
In 2016, Canadian scientists made a discovery so extraordinary that it reshaped our understanding of Earth’s geological and biological history. Deep within the ancient rocks of Ontario’s Kidd Creek Mine, researchers uncovered water that had been trapped underground for nearly 2 billion years. This water is now considered the oldest water ever discovered on Earth. Beyond its age, the find has opened new doors for understanding how life originated on our planet and where else in the universe it may exist.
The Location of Discovery
The water was found in the Kidd Creek Mine, located in Ontario, Canada. This mine is one of the deepest copper-zinc mines in the world, plunging about 3.1 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. The ancient water was discovered between 2.4 to 3.1 kilometers underground, sealed away in fractures within the rock.
This is not just any ordinary groundwater. Unlike surface water that cycles through rain and rivers, this water had remained isolated for billions of years, untouched by sunlight, oxygen, or surface ecosystems. It represents a time capsule from Earth’s distant past.
Who Made the Discovery?
The discovery was led by a team of geoscientists under the guidance of Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar from the University of Toronto. With years of expertise in Earth sciences, Professor Lollar and her colleagues confirmed that this was not just ancient water, but water that had remained sealed off since the Precambrian Era, dating back nearly 2 billion years.
How Did Scientists Determine Its Age?
The question of how old this water is was answered through advanced scientific testing. Researchers analyzed noble gases trapped in the water, including helium, neon, argon, and xenon.
These gases are released over time from radioactive decay within the surrounding rocks. By studying their concentrations, scientists were able to estimate the age of the water. The results were astonishing: the water was between 1.5 and 2.6 billion years old, making it the most ancient water ever identified on Earth.
Why Is This Discovery Important?
1. Evidence of Ancient Life
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation was that this water was not lifeless. Scientists found sulfate-reducing bacteria living within it. These microorganisms survive without sunlight or oxygen, relying instead on chemical reactions with minerals in the rocks for energy—a process known as chemosynthesis.
This discovery proves that life can thrive in extreme conditions, deep underground, completely isolated from the surface.
2. Implications for Life on Mars
This ancient water also holds exciting implications for space exploration. Mars, with its rocky crust and history of liquid water, shares similarities with the geology of Canada’s Precambrian rocks. If life can survive kilometers beneath Earth’s surface, it raises the possibility that microbial life may also exist deep within Mars’ subsurface.
For astrobiologists, this strengthens the case that Mars—or other rocky planets and moons—could host microbial life in hidden reservoirs of ancient water.
3. A Window into Earth’s Past
This water acts like a time machine. It existed at a time when Earth’s atmosphere had little oxygen and complex life forms had not yet evolved. By studying it, scientists can gain insight into what conditions were like billions of years ago, and how Earth’s environment has changed over time.
It also provides a natural laboratory for studying how early microbial ecosystems developed and sustained themselves in extreme conditions.
Can We Drink This Ancient Water?
The short answer: absolutely not.
This water is nothing like the fresh water we drink today. Instead, it is highly salty and toxic, with ten times more salt than seawater. It also contains heavy metals like iron and arsenic.
When scientists cautiously tasted small samples, they described the flavor as extremely bitter with the smell of “rotten eggs,” caused by high sulfate content. It may be fascinating to study, but it is not safe for human consumption.
Quick Facts: 2 Billion-Year-Old Water
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 1.5 – 2.6 billion years |
| Depth | Found 2.4–3.1 km underground |
| Location | Kidd Creek Mine, Ontario, Canada |
| Discoverer | Prof. Barbara Sherwood Lollar & team, University of Toronto |
| Signs of Life | Yes – sulfate-reducing bacteria |
| Significance | Insights into early Earth & possibility of life on Mars |
The Bigger Picture
This discovery is far more than just an ancient curiosity. It demonstrates that life finds a way, even in the harshest environments. It shows us that where there is water and an energy source, life may exist—whether on Earth or another planet.
The 2 billion-year-old water in Canada serves as both a scientific treasure and a symbol of exploration, reminding us of how much there is still to learn about our planet and the universe.
Conclusion
The discovery of the world’s oldest water in Ontario’s Kidd Creek Mine has become a milestone in science. Not only does it shed light on Earth’s deep past, but it also gives hope that life could exist beyond our planet.
For now, this ancient water remains locked away in the depths of Canada’s rocks, serving as a unique window into a world long gone but never forgotten.