The Titanic-Eating Bacteria - Halomonas titanicae
Wimansa Wijesinghe
UG | Biotechnologist | Article Writer | Former Editor at Tree For Life | Brand Ambassador of The Sri Lankan Scientist Magazine at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka | Rotaractor | Volunteer | Content Creator | Innovator
In 1912, the RMS Titanic, then a marvel of modern engineering, sank tragically in an accident after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. For over a century, the remains of this ever-great ship lay undisturbed at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, slowly decaying. But what many people probably do not realize, though, is that the slow breakdown of the Titanic is being hastened by an unexpected force, a bacteria. However, this "Titanic-eating" bacteria is playing an important role in the ongoing journey of the ship's destruction, turning its remains into a ghostly shadow of what it used to be.
How a tiny bacterium is eating up the Titanic?
Now a new form of bacteria, called Halomonas titanicae, has been discovered on the wreck of the Titanic; it consumes rust-that is, it degrades the ship's metal, little by little. Being part of the group known as halophilic bacteria, organisms that love salty environments, they are found throughout the deep ocean. It plays an important part in the natural recycling of the sea's metals.
The Halomonas titanicae bacterium was first identified in 2010 by a team of researchers from Dalhousie University, Canada and it was led by Henrietta Mann and Bhavleen Kaur. The team studied the wreck of the Titanic because it was deteriorating much faster than it should. After taking samples from the rust formations, called "rusticles," on the ship, they discovered this new species of bacteria.
This bacteria, as its name goes, thrives in deep-sea environments where the salt level is high. It was first found on the Titanic, but similar bacteria exist in other shipwrecks and metal structures under the sea. Since it can survive in extreme conditions, scientists believe that it could be found in many other deep-sea locations.
How Does It Eat Metal?
Halomonas titanicae eats metal through a process called biocorrosion in which it breaks down iron into rust. It accomplishes this by attaching to the surface of the metal and releasing specialized enzymes, which react with iron. The enzymes assist in the conversion of solid iron to iron oxide, a weak, brittle form of rust. Acids, along with other chemicals produced by bacteria, also facilitate the process of corrosion. With time, it forms rust in a fragile yet iciclelike structure that outwardly appears sound but readily breaks apart. Such rusticles shelter Halomonas titanicae and other microbes that feed off minerals released by the corroding metal. A continuous cycle thus occurs in breaking down the iron and feeding from its breakdown products, hence disintegrating its structure with time. In the case of the Titanic, for example, scientists believe that at this rate, it might disappear in a few more decades.
Importance of this bacteria
This microorganism, which can digest the metal structure of sunken ships and oil rigs, thus helps decompose these metal objects in the ocean. Otherwise, it could lie on the sea floor for centuries. Thus, this microbe naturally recycles materials important for maintaining the ecosystem of the ocean.
For marine archaeologists, it allows predicting the duration of other shipwrecks, like the Titanic. This means a lot in the preservation of historical underwater sites and the projection of conservation plans.
It is also studied for its application in cleaning metal underwater waste by this bacterium. If kept under control, it could remove old ships, oil platforms, and other man-made structures from the sea floor with no chemical use or expensive human labor.
By understanding how Halomonas titanicae corrodes metal, researchers can design new materials that resist microbial corrosion. This will help industries, such as oil drilling, shipping, and deep-sea exploration, which employ submerged structures.
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While useful, this bacterium also presents a problem: it accelerates the corrosion of old shipwrecks and could eventually damage precious submerged heritage. Scientists are working to find methods to slow down its processes when preservation is required.
Yet, this type of bacteria is still studied by scientists in order to understand its mechanism. Some researchers think it could be applied in waste management to degrade the metal debris in the ocean. Others are looking at ways to slow down its effect on important shipwrecks.
Future of Halomonas titanicae
Research on Halomonas titanicae opens a wide field for future scientific research and practical environmental management applications. While scientists continue to study this unusual bacterium and its interaction with metals, it might offer new developments related to the prevention of corrosion, marine conservation, and even waste management in a sustainable manner. While its impact on historical shipwrecks remains a concern, understanding and managing its effects can help balance preservation with nature's natural recycling processes. The ongoing research into Halomonas titanicae not only deepens our understanding of the ocean's ecosystems but also opens up innovative solutions for both preserving and cleaning up the underwater world.
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Wimansa Wijesinghe