A recent study highlights the potential of Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C, a methanotrophic bacterium, to effectively combat methane emissions from major sources. Methanotrophs, bacteria that utilize methane, offer a solution to methane reduction. This particular strain thrives at low concentrations of 200-1,000 ppm and shows remarkable growth even at 200 ppm. Notably, it converts methane into biomass, a useful feed for aquaculture. With its capacity to consume methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO2, this strain demonstrates promise for innovative methane mitigation technology.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Methanotrophs: Microorganisms that metabolize methane, an impactful greenhouse gas, as a source of energy. They play a crucial role in controlling methane emissions and are valuable for environmental applications.
- Proteobacteria: A major group of bacteria comprising diverse species with various metabolic capabilities. Methanotrophs belong to this group and are known for their ecological and industrial significance.
- ppm (parts per million): A unit of measurement used to express the concentration of a substance in a gaseous mixture. In this context, it quantifies the amount of methane present in the environment.
- Aquaculture: The cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish and shellfish, under controlled conditions. The biomass generated by the bacterium’s consumption of methane holds potential as feed for aquaculture, contributing to sustainable practices.