Microorganisms In The Ocean Oxidizes Greenhouse, Gas Methane

Researchers have discovered that microorganisms in the sea organize their power supply through miniature power cables, which oxidizes greenhouse gas methane, according to a recent study at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen.

The researchers found these smallest power grids in the world when studying cell combinations of methane degrading microorganisms. They are comprised of two different types of cells which degrade methane collaboratively, with a wire-like connection that was found between the cells, which are essential in energy exchanges, according to a news release.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is responsible for the degradation of methane in the seafloor. Anaerobic respiration is the process of producing cellular energy without oxygen. Down in the ocean, methane is produced from decaying dead biomass. Eventually the methane moves upwards to the seafloor, but it is degraded by groups of archaea and bacteria before reaching the water column.

The archaea moves the methane and oxidizes it to carbonate. The energy is given to other bacteria so they can do the same. The researchers believe that this may be an ancient metabolism from billions of years ago, when the earth's atmosphere was oxygen-free. It is still unknown how the anaerobic oxidation of methane functions biochemically, according to the researchers.

"We wanted to know which substances can serve as an energy carrier between the archaea and sulphate reducers," said Gunter Wegener, who authored the study. "It was really challenging to visualize the cable-like structures. We embedded aggregates under high pressure using different embedding media."

To find direct power wires and electron transporters, the researchers looked for direct connections channeling electrons between the cells. The researchers found genes that were necessary for the production of cellular connections, called pili. They found that only when methane was added as an energy source, then the genes were activated and the pili was formed between bacteria and archaea.

With the length of several micrometers, the wire can exceed the length of the cells, their diameter being only a few nanometers. The wires allow contact between closely spaced cells, and it examines the spatial structure of consortium (alliance).

"Consortia of archaea and bacteria are abundant in nature. Our next step is to see whether other types also show such nanowire-like connections. It is important to understand how methane-degrading microbial consortia work, as they provide important functions in nature," said Antje Boetius, leader of the research group.

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