In a significant breakthrough, an international team of researchers from the United States and Italy has discovered a unique strain of cyanobacteria—commonly known as algae—that could revolutionize ocean decarbonization and impact various industrial sectors.
The discovery, now documented in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, has sparked enthusiasm within the scientific community.
The team, which includes experts from institutions like the Wyss Institute at Harvard University and other notable universities, first identified this intriguing strain, affectionately dubbed ‘Chonkus’, in the volcanic ocean vents off the island of Vulcano, Sicily.
These shallow volcanic vents offer a rich CO2 environment, a factor that has likely contributed to the rapid growth and unique characteristics of Chonkus.
Researcher Max Schubert, previously with the Wyss Institute and now the Lead Project Scientist at Align to Innovate, addressed the importance of this discovery. “Dissolved carbon in the ocean is relatively dilute, limiting growth for many photosynthetic organisms.
We wanted to see the effects of abundant carbon availability on growth,” Schubert explained.
Their findings unveiled that Chonkus not only grows rapidly in CO2-rich environments but also possesses a higher density and an inherent ability to sink quickly in water.
This sinking property forms a dense pellet, compared to “green peanut butter”, which is particularly beneficial for industrial processes where concentrating and drying biomass significantly contribute to production costs.
Many algae products, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, could be produced more efficiently using Chonkus due to its dense growth and rapid proliferation.
Beyond its industrial appeal, the potential environmental impact of Chonkus is profound.
The cyanobacteria can directly sequester carbon from their surroundings, which means they could provide a dual purpose of carbon capture alongside biomanufacturing.
Samples of Chonkus, as well as a similar strain UTEX 3221, have already been cryopreserved for further research, and are available for scientists worldwide.
Schubert’s colleague Braden Tierney, who co-authored the discovery, emphasized the strategic pursuit of naturally-evolved organisms rather than extensively modifying or engineering current laboratory microbes.
“The microbial diversity in nature is remarkable, and we believe in leveraging it for humanity’s benefit,” said Tierney, who has since co-founded The Two Frontiers Project, aiming to utilize these microbes for environmental applications.
This research not only highlights the potential of Chonkus in carbon sequestration and industrial innovation but also marks a growing field of study into the positive uses of naturally occurring microorganisms.
Future modifications might enhance these capabilities even further, balancing the needs of industrial agriculture and environmental preservation.
While there is still much to learn and develop, the discovery of Chonkus stands as a remarkable example of how scientific exploration into extreme and underexplored environments can yield promising solutions to some of our era’s most pressing challenges.
Researchers continue to emphasize the need for stringent biosafety protocols as they advance their studies, ensuring these innovations remain safe and beneficial.