Marine Microorganisms: From Pollutant Degradation to Added Value Products

Marine microorganisms are microscopic organisms that live in oceans. In the oceans, more than 98% of the biomass is contributed by marine microorganisms. They play a role in earth for the mass and energy balance by mass and energy flow worldwide. Almost all of the marine products are made of marine microorganisms. In marine ecosystems, biomass keeps the dynamic balance between the producers and the consumers. The deepest part of the ocean is beneath 10,984 m. The pressure is 1100-fold of the standard air pressure. Because of the different metabolic pathways, marine microorganisms are sources of novel biomolecules, such as bio-surfactants. In the battle to degrade the pollutants, they are key players. Currently, more than 30,000 chemicals have been discovered in the marine. Many of them are useful substances in industries. For example, they have the abilities to degrade pollutants like antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus, and antitumor properties, and have functions in foods and enzymes. Marine microorganisms are used as pollutant degraders in other added value products.