sciencenewsnet.in

Bacteria and Algae Get Rides in Clouds

February 16, 2021 sarah Jonas Algae, Atlantic Ocean, Atmosphere, Bacteria, blue-green algae, Clouds, Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Earth, Ecosystems, Environment, France, genes, Health, Lakes, microbes, Microorganisms, Mountains, New Jersey, NJ, Ocean, Oceans, Rain, red algae, RU, Rutgers, Rutgers University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers-New Brunswick, soil, Toxins, water

Human health and ecosystems could be affected by microbes including cyanobacteria and algae that hitch rides in clouds and enter soil, lakes, oceans and other environments when it rains, according to a Rutgers co-authored study.

Research Results

Study First to Tally Biomass from Oceanic Plastic Debris Using Visualization Method

October 13, 2020 sarah Jonas Biodiversity, Biofilm, Biomass, Diatoms, Ecology, Environment, microalgae, microplastics, Microscopy, Oceans, Pollution, Polystyrene

Scientists examined cell abundances, size, cellular carbon mass, and how photosynthetic cells differ on polymeric and glass substrates over time, exploring nanoparticle generation from plastic like polystyrene and how this might disrupt microalgae. Conservative estimates suggest that about 1 percent of microbial cells in the ocean surface microlayer inhabit plastic debris globally. This mass of cells would not exist without plastic debris in the ocean, and thus, represents a disruption of the proportions of native flora in that habitat.

Research Results

Algae in the Oceans Often Steal Genes from Bacteria

April 29, 2020 sarah Jonas Algae, Bacteria, Carbohydrates, Diatoms, Earth, Environment, Food, Food Webs, genes, Genetics, Genomics, New Jersey, NJ, Ocean, Oceans, Organic Matter, Oxygen, Photosynthesis, Phytoplankton, Protein, Protozoa, Rutgers, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Science

Algae in the oceans often steal genes from bacteria to gain beneficial attributes, such as the ability to tolerate stressful environments or break down carbohydrates for food, according to a Rutgers co-authored study.
The study of 23 species of brown and golden-brown algae, published in the journal Science Advances, shows for the first time that gene acquisition had a significant impact on the evolution of a massive and ancient group of algae and protists (mostly one-celled organisms including protozoa) that help form the base of oceanic food webs.

Research Results

Scientists Discover Key Factors in How Some Algae Absorb Solar Energy

August 14, 2019 sarah Jonas 0 Comments 3D bioimaging tools, Algae, Antenna, Atmosphere, Baylor College Of Medicine, biochemical energy production, Biofuels, Carbon, Carbon Dioxide, cars, Central South University, chemical energy, China, Chlorophyll, Climate Change, CO2, Diatoms, Energy, Environment, fossil fuel burning, natural oils, New Jersey, Ocean, Oceans, Photosynthesis, photosystem II, Planes, proteins, Rutgers, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Solar energy, sunlight, Trains, Trucks, Xiangya Hospital

Scientists have discovered how diatoms – a type of algae that produces 20 percent of the Earth’s oxygen – absorb solar energy for photosynthesis. The Rutgers University-led discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could help lead to more efficient and affordable algae-based biofuels and combat climate change from fossil fuel burning.