Deep-sea microbes that could help clean up devastating oil spills have been discovered at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists identified nearly two dozen new species of microbe, many of which gobble up greenhouse gases and other waste to survive and grow.
They said the tiny creatures could one day remove climate-altering chemicals like methane from the atmosphere, or even oil following ocean spills.
Scientists explored microbes in the extremely hot, deep-sea sediments in the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. Pictured is a view of the Guaymas Basin seafloor taken from Alvin, a submersible research vessel used by the team
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin explored microbes in the extremely hot, deep-sea sediments located in the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California.
A number of them use chemicals known as hydrocarbons, including the greenhouse gas methane, as an energy source.
These pollutant-eating creatures were found to be so genetically different from known microbes that they represent new branches in the tree of life.
'This shows the deep oceans contain expansive unexplored biodiversity,' said study lead author Dr Brett Baker.
'Beneath the ocean floor huge reservoirs of hydrocarbon gases - including methane, propane, butane and others - exist now, and these microbes prevent greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.'
The microscopic organisms 'are capable of degrading oil and other harmful chemicals', he added.
Experts used a submersible research vessel called Alvin (pictured) to analyse sediment 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) below the surface
Brett Baker (left) and pilot Jefferson Grau inside the deep-sea submersible Alvin during a dive in the Guaymas Basin in November 2018
Experts analysed sediment 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) below the surface, where volcanic activity raises temperatures to around 390F (200C).
Samples were collected using the Alvin submersible, the same sub that found the Titanic, because the microbes live in extreme environments.
In total, recovered 551 genomes, and DNA analyses showed 22 of them represented new entries in the tree of life.
Their genes suggest the microbes take in hydrocarbons to survive and grow, an unusual trait that could be used to clean up pollutants in future.
Scientists said the tiny creatures could one day remove climate-altering chemicals like methane from the atmosphere, or even oil following ocean spills. Pictured is a satellite image of the Gulf of Mexico following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Only about 0.1 percent of the world's microbes can be cultured, which means there are thousands, maybe even millions, of microbes yet to be discovered.
'We think that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg in terms of diversity in the Guaymas Basin,' Dr Baker said.
'So, we're doing a lot more DNA sequencing to try to get a handle on how much more there is.
'This paper is really just our first hint at what these things are and what they are doing.'
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin explored microbes in the extremely hot, deep-sea sediments located in the Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California
https://hienalouca.com/2018/11/27/newly-found-deep-sea-microbes-could-help-in-the-fight-against-global-warming/
Main photo article Deep-sea microbes that could help clean up devastating oil spills have been discovered at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists identified nearly two dozen new species of microbe, many of which gobble up greenhouse gases and other waste to survive and grow.
They said the tiny creatures ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/11/27/09/6690454-6433057-image-a-2_1543311826166.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий