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Related Experiment Videos

Prokaryotes: the unseen majority

W B Whitman1, D C Coleman, W J Wiebe

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens GA 30602, USA. whitman@uga.cc.uga.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 17, 1998
PubMed
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Prokaryotes significantly impact global carbon cycles, holding substantial cellular carbon and nutrients. Their vast numbers and rapid turnover highlight their crucial role in Earth

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Prokaryotes represent a vast and underappreciated component of Earth's biomass.
  • Estimates suggest prokaryotic carbon constitutes 60-100% of plant carbon, nearly doubling global living organism carbon estimates.
  • Prokaryotes are major reservoirs of essential nutrients like nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the global abundance and biomass of prokaryotes.
  • To assess the contribution of prokaryotes to global carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.
  • To determine the distribution and turnover rates of prokaryotes across different Earth environments.

Main Methods:

  • Compilation and analysis of existing data on prokaryote cell numbers and biomass.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Estimation of prokaryotic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content.
  • Calculation of prokaryote distribution in various habitats (ocean, soil, subsurface) and estimation of turnover times.

    • Main Results:

    • Global prokaryote estimates: 4-6 x 10^30 cells, 350-550 Pg C, 85-130 Pg N, 9-14 Pg P.
    • Prokaryotic carbon nearly doubles estimates of total living biomass carbon.
    • Prokaryotes are the largest nutrient pools, with rapid turnover in oceans and soil, but slow in subsurface environments.

    Conclusions:

    • Prokaryotes are a dominant force in global biogeochemical cycles.
    • Incorporating prokaryotic biomass into global models is essential for accurate Earth system assessments.
    • The immense population size and rapid growth of prokaryotes drive significant genetic diversity and ecosystem functions.