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Illustration of marine microbes.
(NOAA-OER/BOEM)
The world is constantly looking for carbon-capturing technologies to combat climate changes. We can still rely on nature-inspired solutions for short-term relief, even though we are trying to develop such technologies in laboratories.
Scientists from the University of Technology Sydney set out to discover the hidden potential of marine microbes that thrive in the oceans around the world. The new study shows that microbes have a greater capacity to absorb and store carbon than previously thought.
Researchers point out that the role of these single-celled creatures in the marine environment is not well-established as compared to other species such as phytoplankton. During their study, they discovered a new species of marine microbes that could play an important role in carbon capture. Scientifically, the new microbe species has been named Prorocentrum cf. balticum, which is a single-cell organism belonging to protists.
“This is an entirely new species, never before described in this amount of detail. Martina Doblin, one the study’s authors, stated that the ocean could be sinking more carbon than we think.
The researchers studied microbes living in the waters offshore Sydney and called it a “secret weapon” to slow-down climate change. The microbes thrive in marine environments around the world – thus making them a vital resource in the fight against climate change.
Researchers set to launch sampling equipment at Port Hacking in eastern Australia.
(University of Technology Sydney).
The creature is a mixotroph. This means it can photosynthesise the same way as plants, and also consume other organisms. The process involves a complex chain of reactions, starting from marine microbes secreting a mucus-like substance called exopolymer mucosphere – rich in carbon. They then attract and trap microbes. The entire process of microbe consumption makes them heavier and gradually lowers the ocean’s natural carbon pumps.
Vertical export of carbon refers to the movement of carbon from the ocean’s surface into deeper areas. These carbon-capturing microbes can absorb up to 0.15 Gigatons of carbon each year. To slow down global warming, it is estimated that 10 gigatons (or approximately 10 gigatons) of carbon must be removed each year.
Even though the microbes can remove a tiny fraction of carbon (i.e. 1%), the tiny protists can still be very important in an era when the oceans are becoming more acidic and warming rapidly. They will eventually regulate the global temperature!
The study opens new avenues for understanding the importance of these tiny creatures in a world that is already facing the growing effects of climate change.
The journal published the results. Nature Climate Change You can access it here here.
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