April 28, 2024, 1:30 am

Zombie Microbes Are Waking Up in the Arctic as Permafrost Melts

As the Arctic permafrost melts due to climate change, ancient microbes that have been frozen for thousands of years are being released into the environment. These microbes, known as "zombie microbes," could pose a serious threat to human health.

Permafrost is a layer of soil that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. It covers about 25% of the Earth's surface, including much of the Arctic. As the climate warms, the permafrost is melting, releasing the microbes that have been trapped within it.

Scientists are concerned that these zombie microbes could cause a variety of diseases, including antibiotic-resistant infections. A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that the melting permafrost could release up to 100 million new microbes into the environment by the end of the century.

"These microbes have been frozen for thousands of years, and we don't know what they're capable of," said study author Dr. Jean-Michel Claverie, a professor at Aix-Marseille University in France. "We need to be prepared for the possibility that they could cause a pandemic."

One of the biggest concerns is that zombie microbes could be resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. However, some bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.

"We know that antibiotic resistance is a major problem," said Dr. Claverie. "If zombie microbes are resistant to antibiotics, it could be very difficult to treat infections caused by them."

Scientists are also concerned that zombie microbes could cause new diseases. As the microbes adapt to the changing environment, they could evolve into new strains that are capable of infecting humans.

"We don't know what the future holds," said Dr. Claverie. "But we need to be prepared for the possibility that zombie microbes could cause a pandemic. We need to invest in research to understand these microbes and develop ways to protect ourselves from them."