COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Ocean Bacteria Get 'Pumped Up'
Description: In a new study scientists discovered a surprising new short-circuit to the biological pump. They found that sinking particles of stressed and dying phytoplankton release chemicals that have a jolting, steroid-like effect on marine bacteria feeding on the particles. The chemicals juice up the bacteria's metabolism causing them to more rapidly convert organic carbon in the particles back into CO2 before they can sink to the deep ocean. [Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences]
URL: http://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2015/bacteria-get-pumped
Availability: Full Text
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Publish Date: 5/1/2015
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

<< BACK