What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Introduction: The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Question

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Answer 1

Question

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Students have asked these similar questions

A sample of blood was taken from the above individual and prepared for haemoglobin analysis. However, when water was added the cells did not lyse and looked normal in size and shape. The technician suspected that they had may have made an error in the protocol – what is the most likely explanation? The cell membranes are more resistant than normal. An isotonic solution had been added instead of water. A solution of 0.1 M NaCl had been added instead of water. Not enough water had been added to the red blood cell pellet. The man had sickle-cell anaemia.

With reference to their absorption spectra of the oxy haemoglobin intact line) and deoxyhemoglobin (broken line) shown in Figure 2 below, how would you best explain the reason why there are differences in the major peaks of the spectra? Figure 2. SPECTRA OF OXYGENATED AND DEOXYGENATED HAEMOGLOBIN OBTAINED WITH THE RECORDING SPECTROPHOTOMETER 1.4 Abs < 0.8 06 0.4 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 nm 1. The difference in the spectra is due to a pH change in the deoxy-haemoglobin due to uptake of CO2- 2. There is more oxygen-carrying plasma in the oxy-haemoglobin sample. 3. The change in Mr due to oxygen binding causes the oxy haemoglobin to have a higher absorbance peak. 4. Oxy-haemoglobin is contaminated by carbaminohemoglobin, and therefore has a higher absorbance peak 5. Oxy-haemoglobin absorbs more light of blue wavelengths and less of red wavelengths than deoxy-haemoglobin

Answer 2

Question

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 3

Question

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 4

Question

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 5

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Answer 6

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Answer 7

Chapter 18, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

What researchers concluded after observing a drop in the level of dissolved oxygen, following the disappearance of methane in an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Introduction:

The methane disappeared following the oil spill; if it was used up by bacteria in the ocean, a metabolic trace would have been left behind.

Answer 8

Expert Solution & Answer

Explanation of Solution

The methane could have disappeared from the site of the oil spill, for two reasons. It could have either drifted off to another part of the Gulf, or bacteria could have metabolized the methane and used it up. If the bacteria had used the methane, they would have required a large amount of oxygen for metabolism. This should lead to a drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the spill.

When researchers found a corresponding drop in the oxygen levels, it confirmed their suspicions that the bacteria metabolized the missing methane. They also found through DNA sequences, that there were DNA fragments known to be found in methane-eating microbes, in the Gulf.

Answer 9

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 10

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 11

Conclusion

The drop in the oxygen levels at the site of the oil spill confirmed that bacteria had consumed and metabolized the methane that had leaked during the spill. Through DNA sequencing methods, the researchers also found DNA fragments identified in methane-eating microbes.

Answer 12

Ch. 18 - Prob. 1SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 2SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 3SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 4SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 5SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 6SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 7SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 8SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 9SA Ch. 18 - Prob. 10SA

Concept explainers

Videos

Explanation of Solution

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Chapter 18 Solutions