Oxidize: Combine chemically with oxygen
Methanotrophs - Bacteria that oxidize methane as an energy source
Methane: A gas
Summary:
Last year, we were witness to a terrible oil spill that was detrimental to the Gulf. The cleanup operation as hardly a success, and environmentalists all over the world were worried about this catastrophe. An investigation led by John Kessler, an oceanographer at Texas A&M University has found out that methanotrophs, a species of bacteria, were feasting on the spill. Bacteria have evolved to live with the Gulf's naturally occurring oil seeps and high methane concentrations so they are effective in taking out methane. Their effectiveness is a relief, considering what would have happened without them. In mid-June, scientists found methane concentrations nearly 100,000 times above normal levels, and learned it was decomposing slowly. It was suggested that it would take many years for the hydrocarbon to dissipate. However, within four months of the oil spill, bacterial blooms had removed more than 200,000 metric tons of methane. Kessler and colleagues conducted this investigation by taking three cruises aboard the NOAA ship Pisces between Aug 18 and Oct. 4, collecting 207 separate water samples and measuring their oxygen and methane concentrations. Since oxygen drops when vacteria breath methane, researchers say the depleted oxygen levels can only be explained by the consumption of methane. They also examined the genetic sequences of bacteria in the samples, which suggested a growing population of methane eating life forms. Funnily enough, methane was what started the whole BP oil spill. A methane bubble surged from the Macondo well up the Deepwater Horizon's drill column, busting several seals on its way to the rig, causing a huge explosion. This not only killed 11 people, but also cause 83 days of oil spilling into the Gulf.
Discussion:
I chose this article because I am interested in the BP oil spill and bacteria. It is amazing that such basic forms of life could have such a huge impact on the environment. This article not only opened my mind to how catastrophic the BP oil spill was, but to how every life form has a place on this planet. It makes me think what my place on this planet is. In addition, I think the Gulf is lucky that the methanotrophs were so efficient or its sea life would face much more trouble than they are now( although they still are facing a lot of trouble.Questions:
1) Is the genome for the methane harvesting part of the methanotroph mapped out? If so, could we put this in another bacteria and grow methane eating bacteria to put in the atmosphere or another oil spill.?
2) Can we speed up the process of methane eating in methanotroph with genetic engineering?
Citations:
Boyle, Rebecca. "Bacteria Ate All the Methane From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, New Study Says." PopSci. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2011 <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-01/bacteria-ate-all-methane-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-new-study-says>.
