In the background also predominate jeans
2005/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Scientists have shown that in the seabed sediments inhabit bacteria that also produce a gas that acts on global warming, methane.
Marine sediments cover 70% of the earth's surface and house half of the microorganisms present on the planet. However, scientists did not know the amount of living microorganisms in sediments, and in 2001 samples were taken from the Pacific 16 million years ago.
These samples were extracted from the 400 meters depth of the seabed and the researchers verified the existence of ribosomal RNA of bacteria. This RNA, being destroyed immediately after cell death, is a good indicator of living cells. It was then discovered that there were many ribosomal RNAs in the samples. It is estimated that between 10% and 30% of the cells present in the sediments were alive. This means that the cells under the bottom of the sea multiply more or less like those found on the surface.
These bacteria do not need oxygen to live and produce large amounts of methane. However, they still do not know to what extent this methane affects global warming. In addition, genetic studies will be conducted that will allow scientists to learn more about bacteria living in extreme conditions.
