A South China Sea drilling incident caused a significant methane leak in 2018. Ocean scientists observed an ecosystem rapidly responding to the underwater gas release. Bacteria and worms quickly formed a methane-munching ‘worm bed’ within two years. This new biofilter degraded methane effectively, reducing plume height significantly. However, this rapid ecosystem development caused a notable decrease in original microbial diversity. A South China Sea drilling incident caused a significant methane leak in 2018. Ocean scientists observed an ecosystem rapidly responding to the underwater gas release. Bacteria and worms quickly formed a methane-munching ‘worm bed’ within two years. This new biofilter degraded methane effectively, reducing plume height significantly. However, this rapid ecosystem development caused a notable decrease in original microbial diversity.
