Microorganisms producing methane: a hope for future fuels

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As James Chong of the American Science Media Center suggested in early December 2007, microorganisms hold promise for providing clean renewable energy and for utilizing carbon dioxide in this process. Methanogens are microorganisms known as archaea, which are similar to bacteria. According to research from York University in the United States, they can produce large amounts of methane. Research shows that they can use carbon dioxide to produce methane (the main combustible component in natural gas). In this way, Methanogens are expected to be used to produce renewable, carbon-free gas substitutes. According to researchers, the use of Methanogens could yield around 1 billion tons of methane per year. Methane is a greenhouse gas, and its greenhouse effect is 23 times that of carbon dioxide. Using bacteria to produce methane can serve as a fuel source and reduce emissions into the atmosphere.