Bacteria may contribute more to climate change as planet heats up

As bacteria adapt to hotter temperatures, they speed up their respiration rate and release more carbon, potentially accelerating climate change. By releasing more carbon as global temperatures rise, bacteria and related organisms called archaea could increase climate warming at a faster rate than current models suggest. The new research, published today by scientists from Imperial College London, could help inform more accurate models of future climate warming. Rising temperatures cause a 'double whammy' effect on many prokaryote communities.. creating an even larger contribution to global carbon and resulting temperatures Dr Samraat pawar Bacteria and archaea, collectively known as prokaryotes, are present on every continent and make up around half of global biomass - the total weight of all organisms on Earth. Most prokaryotes perform respiration that uses energy and releases carbon dioxide - just like we do when we breathe out. The amount of carbon dioxide released during a given time period depends on the prokaryote's respiration rate, which can change in response to temperature.