Title
Preview
Description
Bacteria are Earth's first life forms. They continue to dominate environmental evolution in the twentieth century. Ancient bacteria (archae) thrive in extreme environments typical of Archean (early) Earth.
Heat- and acid-loving microbes flourish in boiling muds, hot springs, deep-sea vents and ash-ejecting volcanoes. They loll in waters as hot as 110 degrees C [230 degrees F], and freeze at temperatures below 55 degrees C [131 degrees F]. Some of these bacteria find an abode in pools of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Twentieth century microbial methane makers thrive in oxygenfree sediments inside animals, and in sewage. Producing all the methane in Earth’s atmosphere, these bacteria prevent oxygen levels from reaching an explosive concentration.
Date Created
1997
Holding Institution
University of Montana--Missoula. Environmental Studies Program
Rights Statement
Rights Holder
© 1997 Stiftung Drittes Millennium
Item Type
Exhibit
Digital File Format
image/jpeg
Media Type
Text; Image
Digital Image Number
11_wtt_file01_1-19.jpg
Recommended Citation
Liebes, Sid; Mittelstadt, Laurie; Waugh, Barbara; and Brynes, Lois, "Panel 11: The Extremists" (1997). A Walk Through Time - From Stardust To Us. 11.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/awalkthroughtime/11