UC Irvine scientists find that deep-sea bacteria may naturally capture carbon, reshaping our approach to ocean-based climate solutions.
 |
| Researchers discover marine bacteria's potential to store carbon in the deep ocean, opening up new possibilities for long-term climate mitigation. Image Courtesy: TCD |
California, USA - November 10, 2024:
The recent discovery by scientists at the University of California, Irvine, reveals that certain marine bacteria in the ocean could potentially play a key role in carbon storage. This research focuses on carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM) found in Baffin Bay, a northern oceanic region between Canada and Greenland, and suggests a new method by which carbon might be captured and stored in the deep ocean. Such findings could offer an essential tool in the fight against climate change.
CRAM, according to UC Irvine’s findings published in *Nature Communications*, behaves in unexpected ways. These molecules, generated in the sunlit surface waters, descend to deeper layers, where some of them appear to resist degradation. Previously, scientists thought these molecules were largely broken down by bacteria near the surface or during their descent. However, researchers discovered that nearly half of these molecules remain intact in the deep ocean, where they could potentially store carbon over extensive timescales. This alters prior assumptions about how CRAM cycles within marine ecosystems and hints at the possibility of the deep ocean acting as a more effective carbon sink than previously thought.
Brett Walker, the study’s lead researcher, emphasized that this new understanding could have long-term implications. By potentially increasing the storage of CRAM in the ocean depths, scientists might find a natural and cost-effective means to mitigate climate change. The research suggests that even a small enhancement in CRAM storage in the ocean could lead to significant carbon sequestration over millennia. As Walker points out, if deep-ocean bacteria can be coaxed into storing more CRAM, it could shift our capacity for carbon removal.
The broader implications of this research are significant, especially considering the challenges that human-generated carbon emissions present. The oceans naturally function as carbon sinks, absorbing about 31% of anthropogenic CO₂, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, recent studies indicate this capacity may be declining, partly due to pollution such as microplastics, which impact the water's natural processes. This issue adds urgency to the need for additional carbon sequestration methods that are both sustainable and do not further harm ocean ecosystems.
Still, this research is in its infancy, and key questions remain. For instance, scientists need to investigate whether this carbon-storage mechanism is consistent across different oceanic regions. They also need to explore whether manipulating bacterial activity to store more CRAM could have unintended side effects on marine ecosystems. This careful, long-term approach is essential to avoid ecological disruptions while advancing climate solutions.
Ultimately, while promising, this breakthrough highlights the complexity of Earth’s climate systems and the delicate balance between utilizing natural processes and protecting ecosystems.