Oil consuming bacteria found below ocean

Why in news?
  • Scientists have discovered an oil eating bacteria in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth's ocean.
  • This finding that may pave way for sustainable ways to clean up oils spills.
More in news
  • Who has done the expeditions?
    (1) It was organised and led by James Cameron a noted marine explorer and Academy Award-winning film director.
    (2) He built a specialised submersible to collect samples in the trench.
  • Some important findings about the bacteria:
    (1) These are identified a new group of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria.
    (2) Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are made of only hydrogen and carbon atoms, and they are found in many places, including crude oil and natural gas.
    (3) These types of microorganisms essentially eat compounds similar to those in oil and then use it for fuel.
    (4) Similar microorganisms can play a role in degrading oil spills in natural disasters.
    (5) Team found that the proportion of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria in the Trench is the highest on Earth.
Source
The Hindu.




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 15th Apr 2019
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