Episode Details

Please note that there were audio and technical difficulties with this program My apologies.

Dr. Karen Lloyd, author of INTRATERRESTRIALS: Discovering The Strangest Life On Earth, was our guest for this 63-minute program. We explored a variety of strange life forms that she has studied using deep-sea submersibles such as ALVIN. Although we did touch on some land-based life later in the program, most of our discussion focused on organisms found several hundred to several thousand feet below the ocean surface.

Early in the conversation, I asked Karen about DNA differences between these deep-sea organisms and surface creatures. She reminded us that her research primarily involves single-celled microbial life, but noted that their DNA is not drastically different from that of more familiar organisms.

As a former scuba diver in my younger years, I asked several questions about the experience of deep-sea diving in mini-subs: the technology involved, the comfort level (or lack thereof), visibility, and the challenges of discovering and retrieving samples for study. Karen also shared insights about the crew—typically just three people per dive in ALVIN—the duration of these dives, and the training required to participate. One key takeaway was that many samples are collected from seafloor mud, as the life forms are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Despite ongoing audio issues during the broadcast, we received several excellent listener questions. One listener asked whether the organisms Karen studies are considered extremophiles—a topic we've discussed before on TSS. Don’t miss her answer—it may surprise you. Another caller inquired about any commercial applications for her research or for the microbial life itself. Karen took time to name some of the organisms currently being studied, so listen closely for those details.

A listener also raised concerns about ocean pollution and its impact on these life forms. While most of the organisms live too deep to be directly affected, Karen did discuss the broader dangers of plastic and other pollution, stressing that we should take these issues more seriously.

Later in the program, we tackled a complex question about whether climate change is affecting these deep-sea environments. Karen gave a detailed response that’s worth hearing in full. I also asked if microbial life differs across the world's oceans. While there is some diversity, she explained that the microbes are generally quite similar across different marine environments. She was also asked about microbial life in freshwater lakes, but noted that this is not a primary focus of her research.

As the discussion continued, I asked Karen about the potential benefits to humans from studying these life forms. Her response was thoughtful and informative—another part of the program you won’t want to miss. Before wrapping up, we discussed how these microorganisms contribute to oxygen production. I mentioned that I thought trees were responsible for that, and Karen explained the significant differences. She emphasized how essential deep-ocean microbial life is to sustaining human life with some good examples.

Karen dives into all of this and much more in her book, which is an excellent and engaging read. She shares vivid stories that help readers appreciate the science and the importance of this research. While we did experience some audio issues during the show, I encourage you to listen to the entire interview and consider reading her book. This is a truly important subject that deserves our attention.

Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memor