Microbes

MICROBES THAT RULE THE WORLD

"For more than 3 billion years, microbes have mediated critical processes that allowed higher organisms to evolve. These creatures dominate the Earth’s biodiversity particularly in oceans, where they account for 90 percent of the biomass.

"Scientists estimate that there are about 1 million bacteria and 10 million viruses per milliliter of ocean water, and about 1 billion bacteria per gram of sediment.

'"Although they are largely invisible to the naked eye, microorganisms are pervasive in all environments and have a profound impact on Earth’s habitability and biodiversity," said Mitchell Sogin, director of MBL.

"Marine microbes influence climate and play an essential role in maintaining the planet’s oxygen and carbon balance."

I’ve been meaning to talk about all this: and I will.