global carbon cycle Archives - Astrobiology

A summary of the influencing factors on the clumped isotope values of methanogenesis. The points on this figure show the average measured and “pure” clumped isotope values of each methanogenic pathway. The arrows show the processes that can influence the clumped isotope signatures, and the gray area shows the microbial methanogenesis field defined by the previous studies. Environmental Science & Technology via PubMed

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report

The Clumped Isotope Signatures of Multiple Methanogenic Metabolisms

by Keith CowingJuly 28, 2025July 28, 2025

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, an important energy source, and an important part of the global carbon cycle. The relative abundances of doubly substituted (“clumped”) methane isotopologues (13CH3D and […]

Graphical Abstract -- Bar-Ilan University

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

RNA Viruses May Differentially Shape Carbon Recycling In The Ocean

by Keith CowingJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

A new study by researchers at Bar-Ilan University has uncovered that certain ocean viruses—specifically RNA viruses—may disrupt how carbon and nutrients are recycled in the ocean, potentially altering the global […]

Bolivian forest and landscape from Biomass -- ESA (larger image)

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Habitable Planet Orbital Assay: Biomass Mission Views Our Home World

by Keith CowingJune 23, 2025June 23, 2025

Today, at the Living Planet Symposium, ESA revealed the first stunning images from its groundbreaking Biomass satellite mission – marking a major leap forward in our ability to understand how […]

On the hunt for methanogenic microbes outside the Euryarchaeota, researchers started by collecting samples from Yellowstone National Park — also home to the Imperial Geyser pictured here. Image: Roland Hatzenpichler

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Joint Genome Institute (JGI)-Enabled Research Demonstrates The Existence Of New Methane Makers

by Keith CowingSeptember 30, 2024September 29, 2024

Atmospheric levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, regulate Earth’s climate. Most methane is produced in environments without oxygen through a process called methanogenesis. Methanogenic microorganisms therefore play a critical […]

Researchers sampled biological communities and found that intrusions contribute substantially to carbon export. -- Photo by Kara Perilli, WHOI Creative Studio

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Water World Dynamics: Earth’s Ocean Currents Act As An Expressway To Deeper Depths For Microorganisms

by Keith CowingMay 12, 2024May 12, 2024

Editor’s note: as we begin to explore ocean worlds – which may be inhabited – we’ll need to understand how currents and other activities within these seas – seas that […]