Marine microbes can tell us about global changes in the ocean • Earth.com

Marine microbes have historically been less studied than animal and plant populations, which has significantly enriched our understanding of ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations.

The difficulty in isolating, culturing, and analyzing the genetic material of marine microorganisms has left their enormous diversity largely uncharacterized.

However, the landscape is changing due to advances in molecular and computational methodologies. These technologies reveal the potential of marine microbes to act as indicators of global change in our oceans.

Genetic shifts in marine microbes

In a recent study, experts analyzed marine microbial populations to gauge the impacts of global change. By examining the collective data on these populations and their ecological role, the researchers identified an important trend. They found that even small genetic shifts among marine microbes correlate more directly with gradual environmental changes than changes within larger species.

“Small genetic changes in these populations could be more directly correlated with the small but ongoing environmental changes associated with global change than the analysis of species,” says lead author Ramiro Logares of the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC ).

Moreover, Logares attributes the insights to the emergence of new molecular techniques. These techniques enable broader, more detailed genetic exploration of microbial communities directly in their natural habitat.

Technological revolution

The application of advanced techniques such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics has revolutionized our ability to study these elusive populations. These methods allow scientists to conduct studies without the need for traditional breeding techniques.

As a result, scientists can directly extract and analyze genetic data from uncultivated aquatic microbial species. This analysis has revealed significant genetic diversity and distinct patterns of adaptation and differentiation, influenced by environmental factors such as temperature.

Genetic diversity of marine microbes

For the extensive research, the researchers assessed more than 150 scientific articles. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of how the genetic variability of microbial populations is related to broader ecosystem processes and adaptations.

Logares emphasized the importance of this research: “Knowing the genetic diversity and population dynamics of marine microbes allows us to obtain valuable information about their resilience or vulnerability to global changes.”

Understanding how microbial populations adapt to changing conditions is essential for assessing the health and functionality of marine ecosystems.

The future of marine microbial research

Logares calls for continued population genomics research to deepen our understanding of microbial diversity. He believes this will not only shed light on the complex architecture and functioning of the marine microbiome, but also increase our ability to devise more effective management and conservation strategies.

“The ocean microbiome is currently facing multiple challenges arising from human-induced climate change. For example, the warming of the sea surface, decreasing O₂ and increasing CO2₂ levels, acidification, changes in water circulation, changes in nutrient supply and other biotic factors (such as new parasites or predators). To date, relatively few studies have examined the response of marine microbes to global change,” the researchers wrote.

“Selective changes resulting from global change can have significant consequences for microbial community structure, populations, evolution and ultimately the biogeochemical cycles they mediate.”

“In response to changing oceanic conditions, microbes are expected to undergo shifts in their geographic distribution, changes in community structure, changes in gene expression – including epigenetic changes – and adaptations to the new environmental conditions.”

“However, the relative significance of these mechanisms in shaping the overall response remains uncertain. Population genomics has the potential to provide new insights into the relative relevance of these processes in the response of microbes to a changing ocean.”

More about marine microbes

Marine microbes are incredibly diverse microorganisms that live in ocean environments ranging from the sunlit surfaces of the seas to the dark depths of the ocean floor. They include bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa and fungi, each of which plays a crucial role in oceanic ecosystems.

These tiny life forms are essential for nutrient cycling, breaking down pollutants and supporting the marine food web through processes such as photosynthesis and decomposition.

The atmospheric balance of the planet

Marine microbes are responsible for producing more than half of the Earth’s oxygen, making them crucial for maintaining atmospheric balance. They also contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle, capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, influencing climate patterns and environmental health.

Research

Furthermore, marine microbes have unique adaptations that allow them to thrive under extreme conditions, such as high pressure, low temperatures, and varying salinities in different parts of the ocean. This adaptability makes them an interesting subject for scientific research, potentially leading to breakthroughs in biotechnology, medicine and environmental sciences.

Their genetic diversity and metabolic capabilities also make them a valuable resource for discovering new drugs and enzymes that could have industrial applications. Despite their small size, marine microbes have a profound impact on the global ecosystem and human life.

The research has been published in the journal Microbiome.

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