The results of electron-microscopy investigations of calcite precipita
ted in a water-conducting fracture in a ca, 1800 Ma granitic rock from
207 m below sea level at the island of Aspo on the southeastern (Balt
ic) coast of Sweden are compared with measurements of carbon, oxygen,
and sulfur isotope composition of the calcite and embedded pyrite, Par
ts of the calcite had extremely low delta(13)C values, indicative of b
iological activity, and contained bacteria-like microfossils occurring
in colonies and as typical biofilms, X-ray microanalysis demonstrated
these fossils to be enriched in carbon, Our results provide evidence
for ancient life in deep granitic rock aquifers and suggest that the m
odern microbial life found there is intrinsic, Modeling historical and
present geochemical processes in deep granitic aquifers should, there
fore, preferably include biologically catalyzed reactions, The results
also suggest that the search for life on other planets, e.g., Mars, s
hould include subsurface material.