Deep Carbon Observatory facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | DCO |
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| Formation | 2009 |
| Purpose | Transforming our understanding of carbon in Earth's interior |
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Membership
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957 scientists from 47 countries (as of January 2017) |
| Website | deepcarbon.net |
The Deep Carbon Observatory (DCO) is a big research project. It helps us understand where carbon is found deep inside our Earth. Think of it as a team of super-smart scientists. They are biologists, physicists, geoscientists, and chemists. They all work together to study the hidden world of carbon deep underground.
In 2018, these researchers made an amazing discovery. They found that a huge amount of life exists deep below the Earth's surface! They believe that about 70% of all bacteria and archaea on Earth live deep underground. This includes life found as far as 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) down. Some even live 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) below the seabed. That's a lot of tiny living things!
Contents
What is Deep Carbon?
Carbon is one of the most important elements on Earth. It is found in everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat. It is also a key part of all living things. Most people think of carbon as being on the surface. But a lot of carbon is actually hidden deep inside our planet.
Scientists want to know how much carbon is down there. They also want to know what forms it takes. Is it in rocks, liquids, or gases? How does it move around? Understanding deep carbon helps us learn about Earth's past. It also helps us predict its future. This includes how our climate might change.
Why Study Deep Carbon?
Studying deep carbon is very important. It helps us understand the Earth's carbon cycle. This cycle is how carbon moves between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and inside the Earth. The carbon cycle affects our climate. It also affects how life on Earth survives.
Scientists want to know how carbon gets from the surface to deep inside the Earth. They also want to know how it comes back up. This movement can take millions of years. It involves volcanoes, earthquakes, and other natural processes. The DCO helps us map these hidden pathways.
Discovering Life Deep Down
One of the most exciting discoveries by the DCO is about deep life. For a long time, scientists thought life could only exist near the surface. They believed life needed sunlight or oxygen to survive. But the DCO found that tiny organisms can live in extreme conditions. They live deep underground, far from sunlight.
These tiny creatures are mostly bacteria and archaea. They can survive in very hot places. They also live where there is huge pressure. They get their energy from chemicals in rocks and water. This discovery changes what we know about where life can exist. It even makes us wonder about life on other planets.
The Deep Biosphere
The place where this deep life exists is called the "deep biosphere." It is like a hidden world beneath our feet. Scientists are still learning about it. They want to know how these organisms live. They also want to know how they affect the carbon deep inside the Earth.
The DCO uses special tools to study this deep biosphere. They drill deep into the Earth. They collect samples of rocks and fluids. Then, they study these samples in labs. This helps them find new types of life. It also helps them understand how carbon is stored and moved underground.
The DCO Project
The Deep Carbon Observatory project lasted for ten years. During this time, scientists from many countries worked together. They shared their knowledge and discoveries. This teamwork helped them learn much more than any single scientist could alone.
The DCO has created a new field of science. It is called "deep carbon science." This field continues to grow. It helps us understand our planet in new and exciting ways. The discoveries made by the DCO are changing textbooks. They are also inspiring new generations of scientists.
See also
In Spanish: Observatorio del Carbono Profundo para niños
