Living stones in South Africa absorb CO2: a discovery that could change the climate.

According to ТСН: In the waters off the coast of South Africa, scientists have discovered incredible structures known as microbialites. These 'living stones', once thought to be nearly extinct, have actually proven to be active biological systems that are cleaning the atmosphere of carbon dioxide at a record rate.

What are microbialites?

Microbialites are ancient communities of microorganisms that absorb dissolved minerals in water and convert them into solid rocks, including calcium carbonate. They resemble coral reefs, but are formed not by animals, but by microbes. These structures are some of the oldest evidence of life on Earth.

A scientific team led by marine biogeochemist Rachel Sipler found that these microbial systems operate much more efficiently than many other ecosystems on the planet. They can grow vertically by 5 cm (2 inches) each year.

Each square meter of microbialites absorbs between 9 to 16 kg of carbon dioxide annually. An area of 'living stones' the size of a tennis court absorbs the same amount of carbon as 1.2 hectares (3 acres) of forest.

The biggest discovery was that these organisms can absorb carbon around the clock. It was previously believed that they depended solely on photosynthesis. However, it was found that at night, microbes use other metabolic processes similar to those observed in organisms living in the deep-sea darkness of the ocean.

Why is this important for the climate?

Unlike wetlands or forests, where carbon accumulates in organic matter that breaks down over time, microbialites convert it into stable mineral deposits. This makes them one of the most effective means of long-term carbon storage in nature.

“These ancient formations not only survive - they thrive in the harshest conditions where other organisms would perish,” Dr. Rachel Sipler noted.

These discoveries highlight the importance of microbialites in combating climate change. Becoming scientific proof of their role in carbon retention, the research opens new prospects for their conservation and potential use in ecological efforts. Microbialites could be the key to understanding how natural systems can help reduce humanity's carbon footprint.