• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Scientist drank water that is billions of years old and explained what it tastes like

Home> News> World News> Canada

Published 11:40 26 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Scientist drank water that is billions of years old and explained what it tastes like

Scientists discovered the water over 1.5 miles beneath Earth’s surface, left isolated from the outside world for millennia.

Gregory Robinson

Gregory Robinson

A scientist went above and beyond by taking a sip of water that is billions of years old.

Although most of us would gag at the thought of drinking water that’s been left sitting out for days on end unless we were desperate, the same can’t be said for the scientists involved in an incredible study.

In 2013, scientists from the University of Toronto discovered the water over 1.5 miles beneath Earth’s surface, left isolated from the outside world for millennia in Timmins, Ontario, Canada.

Scientists discovered the water nearly 1.5 miles beneath Earth’s surface.
University of Toronto

Advert

Most people would probably agree that this isn't a liquid for drinking, and is between 1.5 billion and 2.6 billion years old.

But apparently professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar isn't most people.

As lead researcher, Lollar tried the water and herself and judging by her reaction, it tasted just as nasty as it sounds.

To no one's surprise, the ancient water was apparently 'terrible'.

Advert

We'll stick with tap water.
Pexels/Pixabay

Describing the flavour of the liquid to the LA Times, the scientist said the first thing that jumped out at her was something no one wants from a beverage: saltiness.

"Because of the reactions between the water and the rock, it is extremely salty," she said.

"It is more viscous than tap water. It has the consistency of a very light maple syrup.

Advert

"It doesn’t have color when it comes out, but as soon as it comes into contact with oxygen it turns an orangy color because the minerals in it begin to form — especially the iron."

Barbara Sherwood Lollar tried the water for herself.
University of Toronto

Lollar advised other people that you would 'definitely not want' to drink it, but in spite of this she apparently tried it on more than one occasion, saying: "I have to admit I have tasted it from time to time."

But before you judge her, she had her reasons as she explained: "We are interested in the saltiest waters because they are the oldest, and tasting is the quick-and-dirty way to find which are the most salty."

Advert

Little did Lollar know, it would only be three years before scientists discovered what they believed to be even older water in the same area, thought to be at least 500 million years more ancient than the earlier finding.

It's unclear how that one tasted, but given how bad the first was, we’re guessing it's not good.

Featured Image Credit: Draper White/Getty / University of Toronto

Topics: News, Science, Canada

Gregory Robinson
Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist for UNILAD. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Reach/MEN Media
    7 hours ago

    Mom, 34, and baby die in home birth tragedy with 'most intense birth plan' midwife had ever seen

    The British mom died after sticking to an 'intense' birth plan, an inquest into her death has heard

    News
  • Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Scientist explains long-running theory on why Coke from McDonald's taste better

    Science has revealed why a McDonald's Coke actually hits different after all

    News
  • YouTube/Call Her Duty
    9 hours ago

    Kim Kardashian admits controversial photo shoot with Justin Bieber when he was 16 should’ve gotten her canceled

    Kim Kardashian was involved in the photoshoot with Justin Bieber in 2010

    Celebrity
  • Getty Stock Image
    9 hours ago

    Brain surgeon arrested after allegedly allowing 12-year-old daughter to drill a hole in patient’s head

    The child reportedly assisted in drilling into a patient's skull

    News
  • Scientist revives 48,500-year-old 'zombie' virus found in Siberian permafrost
  • Scientists believe they’ve found answer that could explain what happened to MH370
  • Brain chip allows woman to 'speak' 11 years after being diagnosed with same disorder that killed Stephen Hawking
  • Scientists revived an ancient plant from seeds that were 32,000 years old