(ORDO NEWS) — At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, scientists have discovered creatures unknown to science that can absorb carbon in large quantities.
These biological absorbers are able to easily capture carbon dioxide, which is found in large quantities in the atmosphere of our planet. The study showed that most representatives of this completely new species are located near the poles of the Earth.
The discovered organisms play an incredibly important role in the oceanic carbon cycle. It is worth noting that gas from the atmosphere gets to the bottom of the oceans, where it can stay for millions of years.
Plankton and some other types of organisms are able to absorb carbon dioxide only in the upper layers, and then carry it in their bodies to the bottom of the ocean. This happens after the plankton dies and begins to gradually sink to the bottom.
A team of international experts have found in a new study that there are organisms at great depths that can store the carbon that comes directly from the planet’s atmosphere.
Colomban de Vargas of the National Center for Scientific Research in France noted that this is the first time they have encountered such creatures that play such an important role.
Additionally, an analysis was made of sediments from different parts of the ocean floor, as well as the DNA that was in them.
They managed to find out that about two or three life forms that were represented precisely in DNA are actually unknown organisms. Plankton have also been found to be able to accumulate carbon. This process is most active in the immediate vicinity of the planet’s poles.
Experts noted that the ocean is able to absorb approximately 40% of the carbon dioxide produced by mankind.
The study made it possible to prove once again that the marine ecosystem plays an incredibly important role in carbon utilization. In this regard, it is necessary to make the maximum amount of effort in order to better study the marine inhabitants.
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