
Microbial Contributions to Climate Change
Microorganisms play a significant role in climate change, primarily through their involvement in carbon and nitrogen cycling. Microbes are responsible for a substantial portion of the global greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are produced as by-products of microbial metabolic processes.
For instance, certain types of bacteria, known as methanogens, produce methane as a by-product of anaerobic respiration. Similarly, bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle release nitrous oxide during the processes of nitrification and denitrification. These greenhouse gases have a much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide, making their microbial producers significant contributors to global warming.