Black Sea nitrous oxide conundrum: Why most N₂O produced by microbes never reaches the surface

Black Sea nitrous oxide conundrum: Why most N₂O produced by microbes never reaches the surface

Microorganisms in the Black Sea can produce large amounts of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). However, this gas never reaches the atmosphere because it is swiftly consumed by other microorganisms, which convert it to harmless dinitrogen gas (N2). Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology have now investigated this process and identified the key players involved.