By Andy Pacas and Anthony Esparza

http://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/resources/toolbox.html

What are microbes?Single celled organisms that make up the

bacteria and archaea kingdomsThey make up a majority of the life on

Earth in terms of mass. They are the first organisms to form.

Role in EcologyNearly all microbes are either

decomposers or producers. They play the major role of maintaining

the nitrogen and carbon cycles.

tiny Evolution Microbes are the oldest organism on

earth specifically 3.3 billion years. Without them evolution would have

been kaput!

Deep SeaLife for the microbes in the deep ocean

is intense. Several factors in their environment

are immense pressure, complete darkness, and restricted by lack of chemicals and nutrients in most places.

The ocean is separated into multiple biospheres or layers

Each of these sphere has it’s own characteristics.

Only areas that have lots of light have been heavily observed.

Alcanivorax borkumensisThis is the Latin name for the oil-eating

microbeThis microbe is found naturally in the deep

ocean feeding off oil seeping out of the floor.Discovered recently the microbe Alcanivorax

borkumensis has quickly became a global asset in terms of oil clean up for its cheap efficiency.

Pros/Cons of treatmentsChemical/physical BiologicalPhysical is limited to the

area in which it could treat and has some errors involved

Chemicals could remove the damages but can unintentionally harm the organisms involved

Can treat the whole problem with maximum efficiency and little to no effect to the organisms involved

Microbes in oil clean-up

ThinkWhy are microbes so essential to all life

forms in terms of ecology and evolution? (5min)