Methanotrophic microbiomes from North Sea sediment
Journal: Flanders Marine Institute (Flanders Marine Institute)
Year: 2016

Methane is the most abundant organic greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, and has a strong infrared absorbance, being 25 to 30 times more effective than carbon dioxide on a 100 years scale. Methane therefore plays an important role in the climate warming regulation. Methanotrophs are microorganisms that can consume methane and utilize it as their sole source of carbon and energy. These organisms are the most important biological sink of methane. Their importance is especially demonstrated in marine