Life at the sea floor
Article Abstract:
A new filamentous bacterium called Thioploca has been discovered which defies a typical dependence of microorganism on diffusion for their supply of nutrients. Thioploca, found along the western coast of South America, grows in emense mats on the sea floor that have enough density to clog fishing nets but the mechanism of its nutrition gathering was previously unknown. The Thioploca cells are able to accumulate nitrate within large vacuoles and can distribute nitrates through cell filaments in large slime sheaths that have a highly efficient gliding mobility.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Self-cleaning of the Gulf
Article Abstract:
The discharge of 500,000 tons of crude oil into the Persian or Arabian Gulf on Jan 19, 1991 by Iraqi forces then occupying Kuwait was the worst incident of oil pollution ever to happen in the Gulf. The oil has devastated the ecology of Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast. However, the appearance of mats of cyanobacteria offers the possibility that these photosynthetic microorganisms, along with oil-consuming bacteria, will effect the natural biodegradation of this oil.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Evidence for non-selective preservation of organic matter in sinking marine particles
Article Abstract:
Research is presented describing the study of degradation in organic matter and the protection inorganic sinking particles can offer against diodegradation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2001
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