According to a new study, Microalgae appear to rely on a unique strategy to cope with global warming. The findings are published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
Key points
- Microalgae form the base of the food chain in the ocean and capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- As climate change reduces the availability of nutrients in the sea, marine microalgae or eukaryotic phytoplankton fire up a protein called rhodopsin. It is related to the protein in the human eye responsible for vision in dim light. This light-responsive protein is helping the microalgae flourish with the help of sunlight in place of traditional chlorophyll.
- Microbial rhodopsins are proposed to be major light capturers in the ocean.
- Estimates suggested they may absorb as much light as chlorophyll-based photosynthesis in the sea, which also captures light to generate energy and food.
- Chlorella and Spirulina are species of microalgae.
