Microbes Munch on Old Carbon

Live microbes munch on old carbon according to geochemist Steven Petsch who found micro-organisms embedded in shale samples collected near Clay City Kentucky. According to a report in Science News, vol 159, p198, 31 March 2001, the micro-organisms contained very little carbon 14. According to current theory anything over 60,000 years contains little carbon 14 because half of it decays every 5,730 years. Petsch concluded that the living bacteria had survived by eating an oily substance formed from algae and bacteria buried in rocks, which he believed to be 365 million years old.

Editorial Comment: Lack of carbon 14 could actually indicate they were eating materials formed in the world when there was very little radioactive Carbon around. Since Carbon 14 is formed when the atmosphere is bombarded with harmful high energy radiation, we must remember that prior to Noah’s flood the earth had better protection from radiation. (See Genesis 1:6-8) Animals and plants buried during the flood which became oil and coal since then would therefore contain very little carbon14. (ref. Noah, C14, microbes)