Scientists have discovered new microbes that could significantly impact the climate on our planet.

Scientists have discovered that complex microscopic organisms can form vast ecosystems and influence the future climate of our planet. This study was published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum, as reported by Phys.

Researchers found an unknown population of microbes in the oxygen-poor peatlands of the Amazon rainforest in Peru (South America). The authors of the study believe that these microbes play a dual role in the carbon cycle on our planet, potentially either mitigating or exacerbating climate change. This process can either stabilize carbon for long-term storage or trigger its release as carbon dioxide and methane.

Under stable conditions, microbes enable peatlands to act as vast carbon storage reservoirs, thereby reducing the risk of climate change. However, further warming may accelerate global climate change due to the instability of peatlands.

Scientists concluded that human-induced disruption of the natural peatland ecosystem could lead to the release of 500 million tons of carbon by the end of this century.

The Amazonian peatlands are among the largest carbon reservoirs on our planet, storing approximately 3.1 billion tons of carbon. This is about twice as much as all the forests in the world combined. Peatlands are crucial for global carbon storage, as their conditions slow down decomposition and allow organic material to accumulate over thousands of years. These ecosystems play a vital role in regulating greenhouse gas emissions and influencing the climate.

The recently discovered microbes, which are part of the Bathyarchaeia group, create the conditions necessary for the functioning of this ecosystem. Scientists found that these new microbes help regulate the carbon cycle in peatlands.

These microbes consume carbon monoxide and convert it into energy while simultaneously reducing the toxicity of carbon in the environment. By breaking down chemical compounds, the microbes produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which other microbes use to generate methane.

However, changes in precipitation, temperature, and human activity are causing peatlands to release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Although tropical peatlands currently function as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon than they emit, they are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Warming may dry out these peatlands, turning them into sources of carbon.

The release of billions of tons of carbon dioxide and methane from peatlands would significantly amplify global warming. Scientists believe it is essential to protect peatlands to prevent further climate change. The new microbes represent a crucial element in addressing climate issues and demonstrate that even the tiniest organisms can have a tremendous impact on our planet.