New Zealand scientists have discovered a bacterium which eats methane. It was discovered about 30cm below ground level in Hells Gate, Rotorua. The discovery originally came about because a Microbiologist (Dr Scott) was curious as to why the methane naturally produced geothermally in the area never seemed to reach the surface – so they dug for an answer.
The bacteria has been tentatively called Methylokous infernorum and its hope that eventually it might be able to be used to help landfills and methane producing processes reduce their emissions.
Apparently the organism prefers acidic conditions and a temperature of around 60C so its application is likely to be restricted but current estimates suggest that 1 cubic metre of the bacterium could consume 11kg of methane a year.
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