Scientists discovered in the ocean live electric cable

This bacteria, connected in the finest long filaments that are very similar in structure to a bunch of wires in the winding insulation.
Danish scientists, three years ago found a mysterious electrical currents in the ocean, determined their source and surprised his discoveries. As it turned out, the seabed literally enmeshed live electric wire - are bacteria that are connected in the finest long filaments that are very similar in structure to a bunch of wires in the winding insulation, writes The Daily Mail.
On the ability of microorganisms to use the current has long been known, the present is surprising discovery that these circuits are not made up of different bacteria, as suggested by the researchers. This thread unicellular one family, who live as one entity and the current drive on it, passing it on a huge, compared to their own size, distance.
Results of their study, researchers from the University of Aarhus in Denmark, presented in the journal Nature. They concluded that "Cable bacteria" are a family of Desulfobulbaceae most numerous species of microbes - Proteobacteria. Reaching one centimeter in length, is one such thread has a thickness of one hundred times smaller than a human hair.
In an area of ​​one square meter can operate tens of thousands of such threads. These single-celled prefer to live "in conjunction" with the brothers because individually would be at a disadvantage and could not get the necessary energy for life by the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide accumulates in layers of sediment.
Some live in more oxygenated areas, but can not get to hydrogen sulfide. Others living in these deeper layers, however, have access to hydrogen sulfide, but lack of oxygen. Thus, bacteria together in electric chain, to provide for themselves in abundance all necessary.
Cubic centimeter of sediment can contain up to a kilometer-made "cable" of bacterial colonies, scientists have found. And the colony monopolizes oxidation, preventing other microorganisms use their "resources."
Head of Danish researchers, microbiologist-Risgard Nils Petersen believes that the discovery could be useful in the development of technologies, including in the field of medicine. For example, you could create a device that, using the possibilities of living power, "clean" to the infected area of ​​the body.
Danish colleague, Professor Gemma Reguera of Michigan State University in the U.S., commenting on the study, said that several years ago the assumption that bacteria can function as power cables to transmit electric current to a distance of a centimeter, would be met with skepticism. However, researchers have presented convincing evidence and clarified, as in marine sediments occur interlayer geochemical reactions.
According to an American microbiologist, opening the Danes further enhances the importance of the role played by bacteria in the global geochemical processes and functioning of ecosystems