14 DAY TRIAL // Microorganisms living in the deep ocean are fairly effective when it comes to trapping carbon and locking it up.
In fact, it is likely that they currently hold somewhere between 300 million and 1.3 billion tons of carbon.
Writing in the International Society of Microbial Ecology Journal, Professor Tim Mattes and his fellow researchers explain that, contrary to popular opinion, trees, grass and the like aren't the only living organisms that rid the air of some of its carbon content.
They say that, according to their investigations, microbes called archaea that live some 600 feet (183 meters) below the sea's surface also absorb loads of carbon.
As the professor puts it, “A significant amount of carbon fixation occurs in the dark ocean.” Interestingly enough, these microorganisms don't even need sunlight in order to trap and lock up carbon.
On the contrary, they've figured out a way to accomplish this task using whatever energy sources they have at their disposal well below the sea's surface.
“Organisms in the dark ocean may not require sunlight to lock up carbon, but they do require an energy source. In the dark ocean, carbon fixation can occur with reduced chemical energy sources such as sulfur, methane, and ferrous iron,” Professor Tim Mattes explains, as cited by Science News.
“The hotspots are hydrothermal vents that generate plumes rich in chemical energy sources that stimulate the growth of microorganisms forming the foundation for deep sea ecosystems,” he further details.
Some might jump to the conclusion that, because they store this much carbon, these microbes might prove useful in terms of combating climate change and global warming.
Since carbon is a potent greenhouse gas, the fact that deep ocean organisms store an impressive amount of it can only prove beneficial to mankind and the planet, these people would say.
However, the professor cautions that, all things considered, it is likely that our atmosphere probably holds way too much carbon for these microbes to be able to make a difference.
“While it is true that these microbes are incorporating carbon dioxide into their cells in the deep ocean and thus having an impact on the global carbon cycle, there is no evidence to suggest that they could play any role in mitigating global warming,” he maintains.
Hopefully, future investigations will determine whether or not these microbes can help put a leash on ongoing environmental shifts.