May 4th, 2009
Old-time oceans became deadly
The oceans have always been crucial to the state of earth’s biospere. New research shows that deteriorating ocean conditions long ago may had led to a major extinction of living species. This was long before humans, or coal-burning power plants or corn faming.
The finger of fate points to Chlorobium — green sulfur bacteria — that were living in the ancient oceans. They give off hydrogen sulfide and that reduced the levels of life-giving gases in the ocean and atmosphere: CO2 and O2.
The relevant lesson for us today: we cannot ignore what’s happening in the oceans which domninate our planet. Even those of us who live far from the nearest seashore. There’s more at stake than simply the price of orange ruffy at the local eatery.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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