Black carbon (or soot) is released into the atmosphere and deposited on terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. Black carbon particles are highly reactive and absorb dissolved organic matter, promoting bacterial colonisation. The potential of marine bacteria to degrade black carbon and contribute to the biological carbon pump is still unknown.
In November 2018 we investigated the microbial colonisation of 'black carbon' particles in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) technology, we were able to observe the colonisation of black carbon particles by bacterial biofilms. in the presence of amino acids.
In 2019, we will continue the programme with measurements of the respiration rates of bacteria that colonise black carbon particles.