Ocean Warming Endangers Microbe Crucial for Earth's Oxygen
A new study warns that rising ocean temperatures threaten Prochlorococcus, Earth's most abundant photosynthetic microbe, which produces nearly a third of the planet's oxygen. The microbe's optimal temperature range is 19-28°C, and temperatures above 30°C significantly reduce its growth, potentially leading to a decline in its population and impacting global oxygen levels and marine food webs. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial responses to climate change and the potential shift in oceanic ecosystems.
