Context:
A strain of bacteria (Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C) could potentially remove methane from major emission sites such as landfills, paddy fields, and oil and gas wells, according to a new study.
About Methanotrophs:
- Oxidize methane to harness energy under oxic and anoxic conditions.
- They are methane-utilizing bacteria.
- A diverse group of gram-negative bacteria
- They grow best when the methane concentration is around 5,000-10,000 parts per million (ppm).
Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C:
- Consumes methane (More potent than carbon dioxide)
- A great option for methane removal technology because it can thrive in low methane concentrations of 200-1,000 ppm.
- After consuming methane, bacteria generate biomass that can serve as feed in aquaculture.
- Methane Consumed (tonne): Biomass Generated (tonne, dry-weight) = 1: 0.78
About Methane (CH4):
- A colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas.
- The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has risen by about 150% since 1750, apparently largely due to anthropogenic activities.
- 2nd most abundant anthropogenic Greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Sources – Agriculture, production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil etc.
- India’s Status in Methane Emission –
- World’s 4th largest methane emitter after China, the United States and Russia.
- Agriculture sector emits 5 times as much methane as the energy sector.
- Initiatives to reduce Methane Emissions –
- India Greenhouse Gas Program led by WRI India, Confederation of India Industry (CII) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
- National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme provides incentives to farmers for cattle waste recovery.
- Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) developed a seaweed-based animal feed additive formulation that aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle.
- Anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD) developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Global Methane Pledge led by the United States and the European Union,
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’?
1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
