Discover how the AtlantECO project is uncovering the secrets of the Atlantic Ocean's microbiome and its critical role in our planet's health.
Beneath the sparkling surface of the Atlantic Ocean lies a world most of us will never see, yet our lives depend on its health.
This hidden realm is governed by countless microscopic organisms - viruses, bacteria, and protists so small that millions can inhabit a single drop of seawater. Together, they form the ocean microbiome, an invisible forest that generates half the oxygen we breathe, captures carbon from the atmosphere, and forms the foundation of the marine food web that feeds billions of people.
Today, this critical life support system is facing unprecedented threats from human activities. Plastic pollution has become so pervasive that scientists now consider it a marker of our current geological era, the Anthropocene. An estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010 alone, with most fragmenting into microplastics that infiltrate every marine environment5 .
This EU-funded initiative brings together research organizations from Europe, South America, and South Africa with a bold mission - to assess the Atlantic's ecosystems, forecast their future, and pave the way for sustainable ocean management1 4 .
Microbiomes, Plastics, and Connectivity
| Research Pillar | Significance | Key Research Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiomes | The invisible foundation of marine ecosystems that drive oxygen production, carbon storage, and nutrient recycling | How does the microbiome structure affect ecosystem services? Can it serve as an early warning system for ocean health? |
| Plastics & Plastisphere | A marker of human impact that interacts with microbial life and threatens marine ecosystems | Where does missing plastic (99% of what entered the ocean) go? How does plastic affect microbial communities and food webs? |
| Seascape Connectivity | The ocean circulation patterns that distribute heat, nutrients, species, and pollutants across the Atlantic | How are marine regions connected? How do currents spread pollutants and affect species migration? |
Much like the human microbiome influences our health and well-being, the ocean microbiome consists of a diverse ensemble of microscopic organisms that inhabit every part of the marine environment5 .
The Atlantic seascape is a dynamic, three-dimensional environment shaped by physical processes like large river plumes, coastal upwelling, and mesoscale eddies5 .
The scale of AtlantECO's ambition is matched by the sophistication of its methods. Researchers employ a diverse toolkit of approaches to unravel the complexities of the Atlantic ecosystem.
AtlantECO is building international capacity around standardized protocols and best practices for ocean observation2 . Through coordinated sampling activities across the North and South Atlantic, scientists generate new observations about microbiomes and plastics using cutting-edge technologies.
The colossal amount of data generated by AtlantECO requires sophisticated management and analysis. EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) plays a crucial role in ensuring that project data follows FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)2 .
Coordinated sampling across the Atlantic using research vessels and autonomous systems.
Genomic sequencing, plastic particle analysis, and biogeochemical measurements.
Combining diverse datasets using FAIR principles and advanced bioinformatics.
Creating predictive models of ecosystem changes and plastic distribution.
Translating scientific findings into actionable recommendations for ocean management.
The ocean microbiome generates approximately half of the oxygen we breathe, making it as important to our survival as the Amazon rainforest.
| Ecosystem Compartment | Plastic Concentration | Dominant Polymer Types |
|---|---|---|
| River Inputs | 1,000-5,000 particles/m³ | PET, PP, PE |
| Surface Waters | 10-500 particles/m³ | PE, PP |
| Marine Snow Aggregates | 50-1,000 particles/g | PP, PS |
| Deep Sea Sediments | 100-2,000 particles/kg | PE, PET |
Analysis of these data helps explain the mystery of the "missing plastic" - the concerning gap between estimates of plastic entering the ocean and observations of floating debris. AtlantECO research demonstrates that a significant portion of this plastic is transported to the deep ocean through incorporation into marine snow (organic debris falling from surface waters) and ingestion by organisms that subsequently excrete it in fecal pellets that sink rapidly5 .
Genetic analysis reveals that plastic particles host a distinct microbial community different from the surrounding water, including bacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbon polymers and, in some cases, potential pathogens that may use plastics as vectors for dispersal5 .
The microbial colonization of plastics potentially accelerates their fragmentation into smaller particles, making them more available for ingestion by marine life. At the same time, these plastic particles are altering microbial ecology in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Key Technologies Powering AtlantECO
| Tool or Technology | Primary Function | Application in AtlantECO |
|---|---|---|
| Next-Generation Sequencing | Genetic analysis of microbial communities | Characterizing microbiome composition and function across Atlantic ecosystems |
| Flow Cytometry | Rapid counting and sorting of microscopic particles | Quantifying abundance of different microbial groups in water samples |
| FTIR Spectroscopy | Chemical identification of polymer types | Determining plastic composition and degree of degradation |
| Remote Sensing | Satellite-based observation of ocean properties | Monitoring large-scale patterns of ocean circulation, temperature, and productivity |
| Autonomous Underwater Vehicles | Uncrewed data collection throughout water column | Sampling in harsh or remote environments without research vessels |
| Stable Isotope Tracing | Tracking element flow through ecosystems | Measuring carbon and nutrient cycling processes and rates |
| Bioinformatics Platforms | Management and analysis of large genomic datasets | Processing and interpreting massive amounts of genetic data |
Revealing the diversity and function of microbial communities
Monitoring ocean properties at basin-wide scales
Collecting data in challenging marine environments
The concept of Blue Growth - sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving ecosystem health - lies at the heart of AtlantECO's mission3 .
Perhaps most innovatively, AtlantECO is fostering a new model of international scientific cooperation. By bringing together researchers from Europe, South America, and South Africa, the project is helping to bridge the historical knowledge gap between the well-studied North Atlantic and the under-studied South Atlantic1 .
This approach echoes the Belém Statement, an agreement signed by the European Union, Brazil, and South Africa in 2017 to advance Atlantic research cooperation8 .
Through citizen science campaigns, educational programs, and public engagement activities during research vessel stopovers, AtlantECO also aims to build ocean literacy among citizens of all ages2 .
As the AtlantECO project enters its final phase, with a culminating scientific conference scheduled for September 2025 in the Azores, the research team is synthesizing its findings into a comprehensive assessment of the Atlantic's current state and future trajectories6 .
The invisible forest of the Atlantic microbiome, once largely unknown, is gradually revealing its secrets. We now understand that these microscopic communities not only drive the ocean's life support systems but also hold clues to its health and resilience.
"Microbiomes of the Atlantic Seascape can be used to develop diagnostic tools and metrics that assess the health status of the Atlantic Ocean" - Daniele Iudicone, AtlantECO Scientific Lead6