Microbe named 'chonkus' could help fight off climate change

Scientists have found a new green mutant microbe nicknamed "Chonkus" which appears to have properties to help fight climate change.

Microbiologist Max Schubert led the team that found the green microbe in shallow, sunlit waters off the coast of Italy's Vulcano Island, according to Science News.

Schubert's team had ventured towards the waters to find tiny organisms that take in carbon dioxide for the process of photosynthesis but instead, they came across this naturally occurring mutant strain of Synechococcus elongatus, a species of cyanobacterium, a type of microbe that performs photosynthesis.

Synechococcus elongatus is known for growing fast and is capable of withstanding a wide range of conditions. Chonkus is like a superpowered version of the microbe.

When the team grew it in the lab, individual Chonkus cells were larger than the other fast-growing cyanobacteria. The cells also built larger colonies.

Chonkus was also observed storing more carbon than any other strain of Synechococcus elongatus. The microbe seemed to pack the carbon away within its white granules in its cells.

It also turned out to be heavier than its relatives. Its cells sank quickly to the bottom after it was placed in a test tube and formed a dense sludge.

With Chonkus' ability to store carbon in such a huge amount, it could be very useful for pulling climate-warning carbon out of the air and storing it in or near the ocean floor.

Its cells might be able to absorb more carbon than the cyanobacteria present at the bottom of the ocean and since they sink so fast, they can remove carbon from air above the water.