Bacteria are so associated with pathogenic issues, meaning disease-causing entities. They are so widespread, yet minute, that it is easy to consider it as almost inanimate. In reality, bacteria is not associated only with diseases, but may also be found on top of the mountains, deep down oceans, animal gut, man, frozen ancient rocks and ice of Antartica.

In a recent study funded by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) marine biogeochemists, Laura Hmelo, Benjamin Van Mooy, and Tracy Mincer have discovered that communication between bacteria could have a significant impact on the planet's climate, reports Science Daily and Environmental Protection.

In the ocean, bacteria coalesce or grow together on tiny particles of carbon rich detritus (non-living particulate organic material), sinking through the depths of the sea. The study yielded information that the bacteria sends out chemical signals to discern if other bacteria are within the vicinity.

If enough number of bacteria is nearby, they flock together and commence secreting enzymes that break carbon-containing molecules into smaller and digestible pieces. This coordinated action of the enzymes is beneficial for bacteria on sinking particles.

The source of carbon in the particles is the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, said to be a heat-trapping greenhouse gas.

The communication that exists between the bacteria results in carbon dioxide being released from shallower depth rather than sinking to the bottom of the ocean. This would mean that the bacterial communication would result in less carbon dioxide being drawn out of the air and moved to the bottom of the ocean from where it cannot easily return to the atmosphere.

"Microscopic bacteria buffer the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through their conversations. I think it's amazing that there are a near- infinite number of these conversations going on in the ocean right now, and they are affecting Earth's carbon cycle," Van Mooy said.

"We don't often think about bacteria making group decisions, but that is exactly what our data suggest is happening," said Hmelo, now at the University of Washington. The study was published in Environmental Microbiology Reports.