The fight against global warming requires exploring various solutions. Some approaches are already familiar, like renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
However, nature itself may hold some unexpected allies. One such ally is microalgae, writes WP.
These tiny organisms live in peat bogs and could play a key role in reducing carbon dioxide levels as temperatures rise.
Microalgae, including cyanobacteria and green algae, are found in the upper layers of peat bogs. These microorganisms are capable of intense photosynthesis.
They absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, and as temperatures increase, this process speeds up.
This means that microalgae can help absorb more carbon dioxide, especially as the planet gets warmer. Although they won’t stop climate change, they could help lessen its effects.
Research shows that microalgae in healthy peatlands could increase carbon absorption by 28.6 million tonnes annually by the year 2100.
This discovery suggests that there are still aspects of the carbon cycle we don’t fully understand.
As Prof. Mariusz Lamentowicz from Adam Mickiewicz University pointed out, this is an important piece of the puzzle.
In a typical peat bog, one gram of moss can contain anywhere from 10,000 to a million microalgae organisms.
When temperatures rise, the algae photosynthesize more, which boosts the peat bog's ability to capture CO2.
However, this solution isn’t perfect. Increased temperatures may also lead to more microorganisms that break down organic matter, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
While microalgae help absorb carbon, they can’t fully counterbalance the extra CO2 released by these other microbes.
Scientists have conducted studies in different regions, including Poland and Sweden, to learn more about the role of microalgae in various climates.
The results are promising. Microalgae from colder climates appear to adapt better to warmer conditions, which could make them more effective in the future.
Protecting peatlands and cutting global CO2 emissions are still crucial in the fight against global warming.
More research is needed to better understand the true potential of microalgae and refine climate models.
