METHYLOTUVIMICROBIUM BURYATENSE 5GB1C

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Context

A significant scientific discovery related to addressing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

Details

• A strain of bacteria holds the potential to remove methane from major emission sources, reducing its impact on global warming.

Bacterial Methane Consumption

• The bacterial strain Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C consumes methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Methane is over 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in terms of its global warming potential on a 20-year timescale.
• It is responsible for nearly 30% of total global warming.

Reduction of Atmospheric Methane

• Large-scale harnessing of this bacteria can prevent 240 million tonnes of methane from reaching the atmosphere by 2050.
• The study suggests that the global average temperature rise can be reduced by 0.21-0.22 degrees Celsius through methane removal.

Methanotroph Selection

• Methane-eating bacteria (methanotrophs) are effective, but they grow optimally at methane concentrations around 5,000-10,000 ppm.
• Researchers screened methanotrophs to find strains that effectively consume low methane levels, around 500 ppm.
• Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C demonstrated the best performance at 500 ppm and even grew well at 200 ppm.

Biomass Production and Utilization

• The bacteria produce biomass after consuming methane, which can be used as feed in aquaculture.
• For every tonne of methane consumed, the bacteria can generate 0.78 tonne biomass dry-weight methane, valued at $1,600 per tonne.

Implementation Strategies

• Proposed strategies include designing biofilters containing nutrients for microorganism growth.
• Genetic modifications can induce desired characteristics in the bacterial strain.

Impact and Feasibility

• Preventing 240 million tonnes of methane emissions could significantly impact global warming.
• Challenges include controlling temperature, as bacterial growth requires specific temperature ranges.
• Economic feasibility and energy balance are crucial considerations when scaling the technology.

Future Directions

• Field studies are needed to test the technology's feasibility.
• Analyzing the environmental life cycle and techno-economics is necessary to ensure economic viability and environmental benefits.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/now-a-bacteria-that-can-eat-methane-can-it-reduce-global-warming-researchers-say-it-s-possible-91289