Scientists find deep-sea pressure releases hidden nutrients for microbes
Scientists have discovered that extreme deep-sea pressure forces nutrients out of sinking organic particles, providing a vital food source for microbes. This finding suggests that the ocean's carbon cycle may function differently than previously understood.
Why it matters
Understanding these biological processes is crucial for accurate climate modeling and predicting how the ocean stores carbon.
Life in the deepest parts of the ocean may have access to more food than scientists once believed. A new study has found that the huge pressure found several kilometres below the ocean surface squeezes nutrients out of sinking organic particles, giving deep-sea microbes a fresh source of food.The discovery could also change how scientists understand Earth's carbon cycle. If more carbon escapes from these sinking particles before reaching the seabed, the ocean may store carbon differently than researchers had previously thought.The study, led by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), was published in the journal Science Advances.What is Marine snowThe food source comes from what scientists call marine snow. Despite its name, it is not made of ice.
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