Daily Current Affairs : 24-August-2023
Global heating due to greenhouse gas emissions is a pressing concern for our planet’s future. Among these gases, methane stands out as a particularly potent contributor to the problem. However, a promising solution has emerged in the form of methanotrophic bacteria, which have the potential to slow down the rate of global heating. We will delve into the significance of methane, explore the remarkable abilities of methanotrophs, and examine the potential impact of this technology.
Understanding Methane
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere through various human activities such as energy production, industrial processes, agriculture, and waste management. It is especially prevalent in the agricultural sector, where livestock and natural digestive processes contribute significantly. What makes methane particularly concerning is its warming potential, being over 85 times more effective at trapping heat in the first 20 years after release compared to carbon dioxide. Currently, it accounts for at least 30% of total global heating.
The Role of Methanotrophs
Methanotrophs, a group of bacteria, offer a potential solution to the methane problem. These remarkable microorganisms naturally consume methane, removing it from the air and converting a portion into sustainable protein. Among these bacteria, a strain known as methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C has proven highly efficient, even when methane concentrations are low. This technology holds the promise of slowing global heating without the drawbacks associated with other emissions reduction strategies.
Methane Reduction Potential
Recent projections suggest that by removing 0.3 to 1 petagrams of methane by 2050, global heating could be reduced by 0.21°C to 0.22°C. This reduction is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. However, the implementation of methane-eating bacteria on a large scale presents certain challenges.
Habitat of Methanotrophs
Methanotrophs thrive in environments with high methane concentrations, typically between 5,000 and 10,000 parts per million (ppm). In contrast, our atmosphere contains only about 1.9 ppm of methane. Specific areas such as landfills, rice fields, and oil wells emit higher concentrations, around 500 ppm. This indicates potential locations for deploying these methane-eating bacteria effectively.
The Mechanism Behind Methane Consumption
The efficiency of methanotrophs in consuming methane is attributed to their low energy requirement and strong attraction to methane, more than five times greater than other bacteria. They oxidize methane, converting it into carbon dioxide, a considerably less potent greenhouse gas.
Challenges Ahead
While the promise of methanotrophic bacteria is immense, several challenges must be overcome for widespread implementation. The primary obstacle is the need to scale up methane treatment units by a factor of 20. Once achieved, challenges such as securing investment capital and gaining public acceptance become critical. Mass deployment of methane-eating bacteria will require thousands of high-functioning reactors, making it a substantial undertaking.
Important Points:
- Methane Significance:
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with over 85 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the short term.
- It’s emitted from various sources like energy production, agriculture, and waste management.
- Methanotrophs:
- Methanotrophs are bacteria that can naturally consume methane.
- A specific strain, methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C, is highly efficient in methane removal.
- They convert methane into carbon dioxide and sustainable protein.
- Methane Reduction Potential:
- Removing 0.3 to 1 petagrams of methane by 2050 could reduce global heating by 0.21°C to 0.22°C.
- Methanotroph Habitat:
- These bacteria thrive in environments with high methane concentrations (5,000-10,000 ppm), which are often found in landfills, rice fields, and oil wells.
- Methane Consumption Mechanism:
- Methanotrophs’ efficiency in methane consumption is due to low energy requirements and a strong attraction to methane.
- Challenges Ahead:
- Scaling up methane treatment units by a factor of 20 is a significant challenge.
- Securing investment capital and gaining public acceptance are key hurdles for mass deployment.
- Thousands of high-functioning reactors will be needed for widespread implementation.
Why In News
Recent research has unveiled a fascinating discovery: certain types of bacteria have the remarkable ability to consume the potent greenhouse gas methane, potentially serving as nature’s own brake on the relentless acceleration of global heating. This revelation offers a glimmer of hope for mitigating the climate crisis by harnessing the natural processes of these methane-munching microorganisms.
MCQs about Mitigating Global Heating with Methane-Eating Bacteria
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What is the primary reason that methane is considered a significant contributor to global heating?
A. It is emitted only from energy production.
B. It has a low warming potential compared to carbon dioxide.
C. It has over 85 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the short term.
D. It is only emitted by industrial processes.
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Methanotrophs are bacteria that:
A. Emit methane into the atmosphere.
B. Naturally convert methane to carbon dioxide and biomass.
C. Consume carbon dioxide and release methane.
D. Have no impact on global heating.
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Which strain of bacteria within the methanotroph group is highlighted for its efficient methane removal ability?
A. Carbonovorus chlorophyta
B. Methylophilus gasconiae
C. Methyloglobulus pacificus
D. Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C
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