User:Hgill9/sandbox


 * 1) Microbes found and the examples of adaptations to survive in OMZ
 * 2) Denitrification ( https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-marine-120709-142814 )
 * 3) Methanogenesis
 * 4) Sulphate users
 * 5) Other, (aerobic processes?)

Methanogenesis
Methanogenesis is the process by which methanogens microbes form methane (CH4) and OMZs contain the largest amount of methane in the open ocean. Ciliates may also aid methanogens through symbiosis to help facilitate methanogenesis. Methanogens can also oxidize methane as they have the genes to do so, however this require oxygen which they obtain from photosynthetic organisms in the upper anoxic zone.

It was thought that methanogenesis occurred under anoxic conditions however after a study used bacteria from OMZs it was found that the bacteria used a 6th of the oxygen for respiration compared bacteria in normal waters.

Sulfate Reduction
Sulfate reduction which occurs by sulfate-reducing microorganisms, is used in the cryptic sulfur cycle. This cycle is continuous oxidation and reduction of sulfate. The cylce was puropsed to helo contribute to the energy flow to anoxic water off the coast of Chile.

Aerobic Microbial Respiration
As oxygen becomes limited in OMZs bacteria begin to use other molecules to oxidize organic matter such as nitrate.