Biologically dead? A foolhardy assertion for anyone to make. Nature is nothing if not robust! I have no doubt that at the minimum microbial life has been flourishing throughout, with many other beings likely hiding from view.
You find life in the most harsh environments, geysers, volcano vents, miles deep in mines.
But in reality the statement "biologically dead" is a hyperbole from the media meaning fish and animals weren't present, not microbes or biological life in general.
GP was making a tongue-in-cheek statement against that hyperbole I believe.
I'll see my way out...