Posted on 05/17/2016 3:02:37 PM PDT by Reeses
Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered how a tiny yet abundant ocean organism helps regulate the Earth’s climate.
Research published today in Nature Microbiology reveals how a bacterial group called ‘Pelagibacterales’ plays an important function in keeping the Earth’s atmosphere stable.
The project was led by Prof Steve Giovannoni and Dr Jing Sun at Oregon State University, in collaboration with researchers from UEA among others.
They showed that these tiny, hugely abundant bacteria could make the environmentally important gas, dimethyl sulfide. Researchers at UEA identified and characterised the gene that is responsible for this property.
Dr Jonathan Todd from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences said: “These types of ocean bacteria are among the most abundant organisms on Earth - comprising up to half a million microbial cells found in every teaspoon of seawater.
“We studied it at a molecular genetic level to discover exactly how it generates a gas called dimethylsulfide (DMS), which is known for stimulating cloud formation.
“Our research shows how a compound called dimethylsulfoniopropionate that is made in large amounts by marine plankton is then broken down into DMS by these tiny ocean organisms called Pelagibacterales.
“The resultant DMS gas may then have a role in regulating the climate by increasing cloud droplets that in turn reduce the amount of sunlight hitting the ocean’s surface.”
Dr Emily Fowler from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences worked on the characterisation of the Pelagibacterales DMS generating enzymes as part of her successful PhD at UEA. She said: “Excitingly, the way Pelagibacterales generates DMS is via a previously unknown enzyme, and we have found that the same enzyme is present in other hugely abundant marine bacterial species. This likely means we have been vastly underestimating the microbial contribution to the production of this important gas.”
Dr Temperton from Exeter University added: “This work shows that the Pelagibacterales are likely an important component in climate stability. If we are going to improve models of how DMS impacts climate, we need to consider this organism as a major contributor.
“What’s fascinating is the elegance and simplicity of DMS production in the Pelagibacterales. These organisms don’t have the genetic regulatory mechanisms found in most bacteria. Having evolved in nutrient-limited oceans, they have some of the smallest genomes of all free-living organisms, because small genomes take fewer resources to replicate.”
‘The abundant marine bacterium Pelagibacter simultaneously catabolizes dimethylsulfonio propionate to the gases dimethyl sulphide and methanethiol’ is published in the journal Nature Microbiology on Monday, May 15, 2016.
Yes, and the sophisticated hackers that outed them have never been found out which points to a well funded government hacking operation.
University of East Anglia - where data is manufactured to support pre-ordained conclusions.
Well they have to first start factoring clouds into their computer models before they can factor these bacterial effects. But knowing corrupt statists as we all know them, my guess is they will just use a constant to represent cloud formation and negative feedbacks. Then those bacteria can be factored into the model, and we will all hear how CO2 is killing the bacteria through increased acidity. Even though the ocean is akaline and not acidic.
Hi.
I got it wrong the first time too.
Hey, think about it. If everyone on the planet had simultaneous orgasms, it could knock the earth off its axis.
Or tip it over...
5.56mm
Don Ho sings: Tiny Bubbles! Or is it baubles?
"The Gaia hypothesis, also known as Gaia theory or Gaia principle, proposes that organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a synergistic self-regulating, complex system that helps to maintain and perpetuate the conditions for life on the planet. Topics of interest include how the biosphere and the evolution of life forms affect the stability of global temperature, ocean salinity, oxygen in the atmosphere, the maintenance of a hydrosphere of liquid water and other environmental variables that affect the habitability of Earth."
I initially misread the title and thought they were talking about something entirely different, like global warming causes dissatisfaction in the bedroom.
...oh, for a minute you thought the Earth moved?
OK, who read that headline wrong the first time? :)
Whoops...another hook for the wizards of East Anglia.
What “human interference” will they come up with this time that will kill the micro organisms that control climate?
//That’s a micro agression right there.//
Haha, subtle, perfect!
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