An Abundance of Life , Could Survive in the Dark , of the Deep Ocean, Study Suggests.
Emerging research suggests that a process called chemosynthesis, which allows for life deep in the oceans,
is far more abundant than previously thought.
Rather than using photosynthesis to store energy,
some microbes rely solely on the oxidation of inorganic
molecules, a process known as chemosynthesis.
Rather than using photosynthesis to store energy,
some microbes rely solely on the oxidation of inorganic
molecules, a process known as chemosynthesis.
ScienceAlert reports that the potential source of
energy was speculated to exist in the 19th century,
though it was not confirmed until the 1970s. .
Previously, it was believed that the rare process
only occurred in extreme habitats.
According to a team of researchers from Monash University
in Australia, there is evidence that the process is
the primary way of life for invisible marine microbes.
Hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fact 'fed'
microbes in all regions we've looked at: from
urban bays to around tropical islands
to hundreds of meters below the surface, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.
Some can even be found beneath
Antarctica's ice shelves, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.
ScienceAlert points out that molecular
hydrogen is a convenient source of energy
found in a wide variety of ecosystems. .
According to the authors of the study, hydrogen must be
an important energy source for bacteria in seawater,
particularly in the deepest, darkest depths.
The first life probably emerged in deep-sea
vents using hydrogen, not sunlight, as the
energy source. It's incredible that, 3.7 billion
years later, so many microbes in the oceans
are still using this high-energy gas and
we've completely overlooked this until now, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert.
The first life probably emerged in deep-sea
vents using hydrogen, not sunlight, as the
energy source. It's incredible that, 3.7 billion
years later, so many microbes in the oceans
are still using this high-energy gas and
we've completely overlooked this until now, Chris Greening, Monash University microbiologist, via ScienceAlert