Cyanobacteria
Anvilcloud pointed out that cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were crucial in developing Earth’s atmosphere into one which would support human life. I was intrigued by that so investigated. It's straightforward but far from simple.
Cyanobacteria exist anywhere where light and moisture are found, from salty oceans to freshwater lakes, hot deserts and cold soils. In symbiosis with plants and algae they provide nitrogen to their hosts.
Three billion years ago there was little oxygen in the atmosphere. Cyanobacteria in the oceans used energy from the sun to split water molecules and produce oxygen. During millions of years, the level of oxygen in the atmosphere rose to a point where it could support life. This process is referred to as the Great Oxidation Event and allowed the evolution of animals and eventually human beings.
Cyanobacteria created the ozone layer, a protective barrier against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
Scientists continue to study cyanobacteria.
You've got some basic information here which I was not aware of. Awesome post.
ReplyDeleteBasic is about as far as I go . . .
DeleteWe humans and animals too, owe our entire lives to a bacterium, yet these days everyone, or almost everyone spends a lot of time and money on sanitising everything in their homes. Talk about overkill. I have read of people who thoroughly wash and dry their dishes THEN run them through a dishwasher cycle to "sterilise" them. And the hand sanitiser companies are getting rich....It was bad enough before covid with people afraid of every little germ but I worry now about children not developing a natural immunity system by never being allowed to just go out and play and get a bit grubby.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Some people are obsessed with keeping all dirt and germs at bay, but 'you have to eat a peck of dirt before you die.'
DeleteTurns out that those who grow up on farms, particularly around cattle (bovines) have least allergies and strongest or most active immune systems. My grandmother opined that we should all eat a peck of dirt before we die.
DeleteOf course, from the viewpoint most of the life that existed at that time, the cyanobacteria were destroying the environment -- poisoning it with oxygen, which they were not adapted to. The majority of the species that existed at the time went extinct. Luckily, since there was nothing more complex than bacteria back then, they didn't "know" what was happening.
ReplyDeleteWhat's good for some is always bad for others . . .
DeleteFascinating information, thanks
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd paid more attention at school . . .
ReplyDeleteI do remember learning in science classes that it was one of the earliest forms of life on earth.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't appear in our science curriculum until 1989.
DeleteI would have thought this was covered in high school biology.
ReplyDeleteOnly since 1989, so only my grandchildren will have come across it at school.
DeleteApparently in Australia, we are rather short of Cyanobacteria in our skies.
ReplyDeleteI can't find anything about that - sounds worrying . . .
DeleteThin ozone layer.
DeleteThis is all so interesting
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteWell, there you go.
ReplyDeleteTake a bow, sir.
ReplyDeleteAs usual,your posts are informative. Leave it to humans to destroy the ozone.
ReplyDeleteBillions of years to create the ozone layer, hundreds to destroy it - what an achievement!
DeleteI just asked AI if my pool has this bacteria and it said no, pool algae is floating green, this one in you post is black on a pool..
ReplyDeleteThat's a relief.
DeleteReally interesting information.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteSo I have the Great Oxidation Event to thanks for my existence!!
ReplyDeleteYes, the GOE!
DeleteVery interesting to explore the beginnings of life
ReplyDeleteIt is and we're still discovering . . .
DeleteVery interesting!! Our microbiology professor taught us this at college. It was one of the most interesting subjects for me when I was studying agronomy.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting, and multi-layered.
ReplyDeleteAC inspires me to think, too.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the benefits and joys of blogging!
DeleteI always learn something when I read your posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI do remember studying this in school long, long ago and it's good to know it is still a part of the curriculum. It is an important subject and thank you for blogging about it.
ReplyDeleteScientists are still finding new things about it.
DeleteOur earth is a constant source of amazement. One should never stop learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteFascinating read . . . thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
DeleteYou share fascinating studies, very interesting! Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteWeekends pass too quickly! 😉
DeleteHow interesting.. I hadn't even heard of the word.
ReplyDeleteI've always just called it blue-green algae.
DeleteI've never been fond of algae of any sort or color but I guess I should temper my feelings some.
ReplyDeleteSome bad things are good for us in some forms and vice versa. Knowing which is important!
ReplyDeleteVery fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThe things we need that we didn't realise we needed!
DeleteI'm learning something new from your blog every time! xxx
ReplyDeleteAs I do from you! 😊
DeleteI love the documentaries where they show the fossil record of those bacteria in the layers of iron deposited millions of years ago, in bands because the oxygen released varied by the season. Such a tiny organism and such a big impact.
ReplyDeleteThese micro-organisms are amazing.
DeleteA facinating read about this type of bacteria and its importance on the world stage. Take a bow Cyanobacteria.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteVery interesting about the producion of oxygen and the protection of the ozone layer.
ReplyDeleteLittle things mean a lot . . . 🎶
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