Methane devourer discovered in the Artic

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The majority of gas emanates from the middle of the mud volcano (left). Bacteria of the species Beggiatoa settle in the central regions (middle). Tubeworms thrive around the edges (right). Credit: Image: IFREMER
The majority of gas emanates from the middle of the mud volcano (left). Bacteria of the species Beggiatoa settle in the central regions (middle). Tubeworms thrive around the edges (right). Credit: Image: IFREMER

Not lava, but muds and methane are emitted from the Arctic deep-water mud volcano Haakon Mosby. When it reaches the atmosphere, methane is an aggressive greenhouse gas, 25-times more potent than carbon dioxide. Fortunately, some specialised microorganisms feed on methane and thereby reduce emissions of this greenhouse gas.


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