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Methane-producing microbe unthawed

A newly discovered microbe could contribute large amounts of methane to the atmosphere, playing a significant role in future global warming.

The microbe known as a “methanogen”, was found in northern Sweden’s thawing permafrost in a layer of soil that has previously remained frozen.

Scientists have never seen this methane producing microbe before and its effects were previously unknown.

Professor Ben Woodcroft from University of Queensland has found that as global warming continues to cause the thawing of permafrost, the microbes within flourish and drive methane gas release, which will further exacerbate global warming.

Read more at The University of Queensland