As the world reckons with the surge in global temperatures and climate change, scientists are tirelessly exploring novel ways to mitigate these issues. One promising breakthrough involves a strain of bacteria identified as Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C. This particular bacterium exhibits exceptional methane-consuming capabilities that could significantly curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming.
The Role of Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C in Methane Reduction
Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C is the new hero in the battle against methane emissions. Currently, methane contributes almost one-third of total global warming and is 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The ability of this bacterial strain to consume methane at low concentrations, even as low as 200 parts per million (ppm), is remarkable. This attribute makes it an ideal candidate for methane removal technology, especially when other methane-eating bacteria or methanotrophs thrive best in methane concentrations between 5,000-10,000 ppm.
Potential Impact on Global Temperature
Employing this bacterial strain could result in preventing approximately 240 million tonnes of methane emissions from entering the atmosphere by 2050. The implications of such a reduction could be a decrease in global average temperatures by 0.21-0.22 degrees Celsius. Such a reduction aligns with international efforts aimed at abating climate change and limiting the rise in global temperatures.
Utilization of Bacterial Biomass
The benefits of Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C aren’t just limited to methane consumption. As these bacteria consume methane, they produce biomass that can be harnessed as feed in aquaculture. For every tonne of methane consumed, this bacterial strain can generate 0.78 tonnes of biomass with a dry weight. The economic value of this biomass stands at around USD 1,600 per tonne, offering an added benefit to the process of methane reduction.
Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of this bacterial strain are promising, there are challenges in scaling up this technology. One such challenge includes maintaining an optimal temperature for bacterial growth. The bacteria thrive in a temperature between 25-30 degrees Celsius, hence demanding careful temperature management. Economic feasibility and energy efficiency are key parameters that also need to be addressed, particularly in diverse climates ranging from temperate and tropical to arctic regions. Researchers emphasize the need for further field studies and urge for thorough analysis of the environmental life cycle and techno-economics to determine the economic viability and environmental benefits of this technology.
Initiatives to Tackle Methane Emissions
Several initiatives both at a national and global level have been taken to tackle methane emissions. In India, programs like Harit Dhara (HD), India Greenhouse Gas Program, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and Bharat Stage-VI norms have been put in place. Meanwhile, globally, measures such as Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), Global Methane Pledge, and Global Methane Initiative (GMI) are working towards the same goal. Such collective efforts show the urgency and importance of reducing methane emissions to combat global warming.
The methane-consuming bacterium, Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C, indeed offers a promising solution to the problem of methane emissions. While it brings the dual advantage of eating up methane and generating economically viable biomass, it also poses challenges in terms of scalability and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, with further research and necessary adaptations, this bacterial strain holds great potential in fighting against one of the most potent greenhouse gases- methane.