Critical ocean microbes may collapse as warming threatens global food webs: Research

Critical ocean microbes may collapse as warming threatens global food webs: Research
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A new study published in Nature Microbiology warns that critical ocean microbes are at risk of collapse due to rising ocean temperatures, a finding that could have a domino effect on global food webs.

According to research led by Francois Ribalet of the University of Washington and reported by the Anadolu Agency, a microscopic organism called Prochlorococcus is highly vulnerable to warming ocean waters. These microbes are vital to marine ecosystems, as they are responsible for 5% of all global photosynthesis and form the foundation of the marine food web, supporting a vast array of sea creatures.

The study, which analyzed 800 billion cells over a decade, found that the productivity of Prochlorococcus could plummet by 37% globally in high-warming scenarios. The researchers discovered that the microbes’ cell division rates crash dramatically in water temperatures above 86°F (30°C). The research revealed that these organisms multiply most efficiently between 66°F and 84°F. Climate models predict that tropical and subtropical ocean temperatures will exceed the 86°F threshold within 75 years. This decline in productivity means there will be less carbon and less food available for the rest of the marine food web, posing a significant threat to marine life and potentially impacting human food security.