American scientists from the University of Texas at Austin found at the bottom of the Gulf of California colonies of bacteria, which can help us in the fight against sea pollution and increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Microorganisms were discovered at a depth of about 2000 meters in the basin Guaymas Basin and, apparently, they exist there, even though underwater volcanic activity, which heats the surrounding space up to 200 degrees Celsius. About his discovery, the researchers reported in the journal Nature Communications.
From the obtained samples of bottom sediments, scientists have learned 551 of the DNA of microbes, 22 of which were not previously known. New species are so genetically different from those that were previously studied that they take up new branches in the tree of life microbes.
The researchers say that the bacteria discovered belong to a class of extremophiles. They are able to exist in extreme conditions, with very low or very high temperatures, and high pressure and other uninhabitable conditions. Found microbes eat hydrocarbon gases such as methane, propane, butane, which are contained at the bottom of the ocean.
“Our discovery shows just how varied life can be on the ocean floor. Even here there are microscopic organisms that can break down oil and other harmful chemicals. Under the ocean floor contain large reserves of hydrocarbon gases including methane, propane, butane and others. These microbes prevent the spread of greenhouse gases and do not give them up into the atmosphere,” — explains the head of research Brett Baker.
According to scientists, the bacteria do not only protect from harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere, but may one day be useful for cleaning oil spills.
To obtain a more complete picture of how these microbes process the harmful substances and the role they play in the biochemical cycle of turning carbon dioxide into oxygen, the researchers plan to conduct new sampling.
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