anaerobic methanotrophy

Anaerobic methanotrophy is a biological process where certain microorganisms break down methane, a potent greenhouse gas, without using oxygen. These microbes thrive in environments like deep-sea sediments or wetlands, where oxygen is scarce. By consuming methane, they play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and maintaining ecological balance. This process helps remove methane from the environment, converting it into carbon dioxide or other substances, ultimately contributing to energy cycling in ecosystems. Understanding anaerobic methanotrophy is important for developing strategies to reduce methane emissions and enhance environmental health.