https://phys.org/news/2025-03-earth-hidden-carbon-recyclers-sulfur.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 47 * Tweet * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Earth 3. Earth Sciences 1. Home 2. Earth 3. Environment * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- March 7, 2025 The GIST Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Earth's hidden carbon recyclers: Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed by University of Oldenburg Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed To determine which molecular tools the sulfate-reducing bacteria use, the researchers analyzed the entire set of proteins present, known as the proteome. In total, they looked at the results of 80 different test conditions. Each time, they seperated the protein mixture in several steps, until each individual compound could be identified. Here, a separating gel containing blue bands with proteins of similar size and charge is placed on a light table. A robot arm cuts pinhead-sized pieces from the gel, which can contain from just a few to more than hundred different proteins. These pre-sorted proteins are then further analyzed using a chromatograph and mass spectrometer. Credit: University of Oldenburg / Mohssen Assanimoghaddam Sulfate-reducing bacteria break down a large proportion of the organic carbon in the oxygen-free zones of Earth, and in the seabed in particular. Among these important microbes, the Desulfobacteraceae family of bacteria stands out because its members are able to break down a wide variety of compounds--including some that are poorly degradable--to their end product, carbon dioxide (CO[2]). A team of researchers led by Dr. Lars Wohlbrand and Prof. Dr. Ralf Rabus from the University of Oldenburg, Germany, has investigated the role of these microbes in detail and published the findings of their comprehensive study in the journal Science Advances. The team reports that the bacteria are distributed across the globe and possess a complex metabolism that displays modular features. All the studied strains possess the same central metabolic architecture for harvesting energy, for example. However, some strains possess additional strain-specific molecular modules that enable them to utilize diverse organic substances. The researchers attribute this group of bacteria's environmental success to this versatile modular system. They also explain that their study provides new analytical tools to further advance our understanding of the role of sulfate-reducing microbes in the global carbon cycle and their relevance for the climate. Life at the thermodynamic limit "These sulfate reducers live their lives at the thermodynamic limit," explains Rabus, who heads the General and Molecular Microbiology working group at the University of Oldenburg's Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM). These bacteria use sulfate rather than oxygen for respiration, and they harvest only a fraction of the energy that aerobic bacteria can extract from the degradation of organic substances. Yet they are extremely active and play a key role in the breakdown of organic matter in the seabed. "It is estimated that in coastal waters and shelf areas, where particularly large amounts of organic matter are deposited, sulfate-reducing bacteria account for more than half of the degradation in the seabed," Rabus notes. He explains that the dominant members of the bacterial community often belong to the Desulfobacteraceae family, and the activity of these microbes is clearly visible in environments such as mudflats, where the sediment only a few millimeters below the surface is oxygen-free. "This results in the formation of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide and the distinctive black iron sulfide precipitates," he explains. However, little had been known about the role members of the Desulfobacteraceae family play in the degradation of organic material at the global level, or about the underlying molecular mechanisms. To obtain a more detailed overview, the team first analyzed the global prevalence of these sulfate-reducing bacteria. A study of the relevant literature revealed that they are distributed worldwide and occur in all marine areas between the Arctic and Antarctic--particularly in low-oxygen or oxygen-free environments, as expected. [INS::INS] Similar molecular strategies to break down organic compounds In the next step, the researchers cultivated six very different strains of Desulfobacteraceae. "Some are specialists that only break down certain compounds while others can utilize a broad spectrum of substances. Some are small and spherical, others are elongated or even filamentous," the study's lead author Lars Wohlbrand explains. In order to decode their metabolism, the researchers fed the microbes a total of 35 different substances (substrates) ranging from simple fermentation products to long-chain fatty acids and poorly degradable aromatic compounds. A total of 80 test conditions were used for the six strains studied. The team then analyzed which genes were activated during the degradation of these substances and which proteins the microbes used for this process. It emerged that the different strains employ very similar molecular strategies to break down the substances and all six strains also use the same highly energy-efficient pathway for central metabolism. The researchers conclude that the Desulfobacteraceae work together like a team, and are consequently able to break down a large pool of different substrates under a variety of geochemical conditions and at a wide range of different geographical locations. "There is no single, dominant key species," Rabus stresses. Instead, the bacteria function as a collaborative community, similar to a football team. "Every team has a goalkeeper and a striker, but each team also does things in its own way," Wohlbrand adds. This versatility may also explain why the Desulfobacteraceae are among the most widespread sulfate reducers worldwide. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter--daily or weekly. [ ] Subscribe Together with Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, the researchers then investigated whether the genetic blueprints for certain key modules in the metabolic network could be detected in sediment samples. In effect, they discovered the selected genes in almost all the analyzed samples taken from marine areas that ranged from shallow waters to the deep sea, including nutrient-rich estuaries, hot and cold deep-sea springs and sediments from the oxygen-poor Black Sea. The team concludes that its analysis first of all underscores the key role played by Desulfobacteriaceae in carbon breakdown on a global level, and secondly, it demonstrates that the investigated genes can be used as analytical tools to study microbial activity directly in the seabed. "The importance of sulfate reducers in the carbon cycle has probably been underestimated so far," says Prof. Dr. Michael Winklhofer from the University of Oldenburg's Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, who was involved in the analysis. The geophysicist adds that the role of these anaerobic microbes in carbon degradation processes in coastal areas may increase in the future, because the oxygen content of the oceans has been decreasing since around 1960 as a result of overfertilization and global warming. More information: Lars Wohlbrand et al, Key role of Desulfobacteraceae in C-/S-cycles of marine sediments is based on congeneric catabolic-regulatory networks, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads5631. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/ sciadv.ads5631 Journal information: Science Advances Provided by University of Oldenburg Citation: Earth's hidden carbon recyclers: Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed (2025, March 7) retrieved 12 March 2025 from https://phys.org/news/ 2025-03-earth-hidden-carbon-recyclers-sulfur.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Researchers decipher the inner workings of A. aromaticum bacterium --------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular East Asian human gene that allows adult humans to digest sugars in milk likely came from Neanderthals 3 hours ago 0 Laser-based radiation detector allows testing from a safer distance 9 hours ago 0 Observations of a nearby pulsar wind nebula reveal a radio jet feature with a helical magnetic field inside 10 hours ago 0 Eukaryotic phytoplankton decline due to ocean acidification could significantly impact global carbon cycle 11 hours ago 0 A new protocol to image wave functions in continuous space 12 hours ago 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Supercomputer draws molecular blueprint for repairing damaged DNA 1 hour ago [gif] Scientists create method for designing proteins that can bind and sense a range of small molecules 1 hour ago [gif] Quantum holograms: Metasurfaces entangle light and information in new study 2 hours ago [gif] Certain mutations disrupt touch-based learning, study finds 2 hours ago [gif] Electrochemical properties of biomolecular condensates could help in development of cancer or ALS treatments 2 hours ago [gif] New capabilities in DNA nanostructure self-assembly eliminate need for extreme heating and controlled cooling 3 hours ago [gif] How UV radiation triggers a cellular rescue mission 3 hours ago [gif] What pesticides do to bumble bee brains depends on dose and timing, study reveals 3 hours ago [gif] Scientists explain energy transfer mechanism in chloroplasts and its evolution 3 hours ago [gif] Phosphorene nanoribbons shown to exhibit magnetic and semiconductor properties at room temperature 3 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts Trying to identify a weird metal object found on a beach 2 hours ago Beyond the Tidal Bulge Mar 11, 2025 Tropical Cyclone Alfred Mar 10, 2025 Tidal Bulge Theory Mar 9, 2025 The Secrets of Prof. Verschure's Rosetta Stones Mar 6, 2025 Global Warming, History of Earth's Temperature Feb 26, 2025 More from Earth Sciences --------------------------------------------------------------------- [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Researchers decipher the inner workings of A. aromaticum bacterium Jan 26, 2023 [gif] Textbook knowledge turned on its head: 3-in-1 microorganism discovered Nov 2, 2023 [gif] Research in Lake Superior reveals how sulfur might have cycled in Earth's ancient oceans Nov 16, 2023 [gif] Sulfur enhances carbon storage in the Black Sea Jun 17, 2021 [gif] Bacteria in lakes fight climate change: The role of methanotrophs as biological methane filter Aug 12, 2024 [gif] Discovery of microfossil in China from the 518-million-year-old Qingjiang biota sheds light on adaptive evolution Jun 12, 2024 * Recommended for you [gif] No countries on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, analysis finds 5 hours ago [gif] Extreme ocean heat does not mean climate change is accelerating: Study 5 hours ago [gif] Increased rainfall and vegetation changes result in sediment shifts at the Roof of the World 5 hours ago [gif] Flooding from below: The unseen risks of sea level rise 6 hours ago [gif] Eukaryotic phytoplankton decline due to ocean acidification could significantly impact global carbon cycle 11 hours ago [gif] Powering the future: America's perceptions on critical minerals 6 hours ago Load comments (0) Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) Sulfate-reducing bacteria, particularly the Desulfobacteraceae family, play a crucial role in breaking down organic carbon in oxygen-free zones, such as seabeds. These bacteria utilize sulfate for respiration and possess a versatile, modular metabolism that allows them to degrade a wide range of organic substances into CO[2]. Their global distribution and metabolic adaptability make them significant contributors to the carbon cycle, especially in low-oxygen environments. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Earth's hidden carbon recyclers: Sulfur bacteria team up to break down organic substances in the seabed Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2025 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast