Spread the Word.

Please help me spread the word about microbes and their role in global warming! 

I hope you found my blog to be informational and enjoyable!  Please feel free to leave comments, questions, or criticisms below any of the several posts.  If you would like to learn more about microbes and their role in global warming please feel free to send me an email using the contact box on the bottom of the page.

Best regards,

Allie Kearney

Permafrost.

The increase in global surface temperatures have lead to the melting of permafrost predominantly in the northern hemisphere, intensifying the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.  As permafrost is directly related to the carbon, methane, and nitrogen cycles I thought that it would be important to include a brief video on it, especially as its melting is rapidly changing the roles and efficiency of microorganisms native to these “permanently-frozen” environments.  In the video scientists summarize the environmental factors leading to the melting of permafrost, the role of microbes in releasing stored greenhouse gases, and future environmental and health-related concerns if it’s melting is not stopped.

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria.

          When examining the nitrogen cycle, one particular type of microorganism known as nitrogen-fixing bacteria presents itself as “of increasing concern” to climatologists and microbiologists.  Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are significant to the nitrification reaction of the nitrogen cycle by converting nitrogen gas into more useful compounds such as ammonia (NH₃).  Ammonia, in addition to being more biologically accessible, is also used by nitrifying bacteria to produce nitrates and nitrites, two of the main greenhouse gases.   Denitrifiers and the natural limit of the nitrogen cycle formerly regulated the availability of nitrites and nitrates in the atmosphere - what happened?  Human activities.

            The natural limit of the nitrogen cycle has been greatly influenced by events of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries such as the Industrial Revolution and World War I.  Some factors, which have prompted the increase in the natural limit of the nitrogen cycle include:

• Large-scale burning of fossil fuels initiated the release of higher levels of nitrogen oxides, including nitrous oxide.
• The development of the Haber-Bosch process, which allowed inert nitrogen gas to be converted into ammonia without the use of slow nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
• Increased ammonia production led to the production of cheap fertilizers that could be used on crops.
• Deforestation
• Production of nylon.

The increase in the natural limit of the nitrogen cycle has allowed a greater release of nitrates and nitrites into the Earth’s atmosphere, affecting the environment and human health.  Some of the more prominent effects due to the increase in nitrous oxide in the atmosphere include: 

• The destruction of the ozone layer
• Heightened exposure to UV radiation and risk of skin cancer and cataracts
• Formation of smog, causing respiratory problems, lung damage, increased risks of cancer, and a decrease in the efficiency of immune response.
• Global Warming

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas and maintains a significantly larger global warming potential than that of carbon dioxide despite its considerably smaller concentration in the atmosphere.  As such, even the smallest increase in the levels of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere could result in drastic, irreversible outcomes. 

            To conclude, it would be incorrect to say that nitrifying bacteria alone has contributed to climate change..  It instead would be more scientifically accurate to state that nitrogen-fixing bacteria due to the existence of certain human activities are greatly influencing climate change through the release of higher amounts of nitrous oxide to satisfy the elevated natural nitrogen cycle limit.