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Methanogen Genes and the Molecular Biology of Methane Biosynthesis

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Book cover Genetics and Molecular Biology of Anaerobic Bacteria

Part of the book series: Brock/Springer Series in Contemporary Bioscience ((BROCK/SPRINGER))

Abstract

Methanogenic bacteria (methanogens) produce methane (natural gas; sometimes called biogas) as the end product of their energy-generating metabolism. This biochemical process, termed methanogenesis, is the rate-limiting and final step in the anaerobic biodegradation of organic compounds. It occurs naturally in freshwater and marine sediments, marshes, paddy fields, geothermal springs, and in the digestive tracts of invertebrates and vertebrates. Termites and ruminants are major sources of biologically produced methane. Approximately 65% of the methane released to the atmosphere, equal to approximately 1% of the atmospheric carbon cycle, is of biological origin; the remainder is produced geologically from wells, mines, and natural vents (Ehhalt, 1974; Daniels, 1984).

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Authors
  1. John R. Palmer
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  2. John N. Reeve
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Unité des Anaérobies, Institut Pasteur, 75724, Paris, France

    Madaleine Sebald

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Palmer, J.R., Reeve, J.N. (1993). Methanogen Genes and the Molecular Biology of Methane Biosynthesis. In: Sebald, M. (eds) Genetics and Molecular Biology of Anaerobic Bacteria. Brock/Springer Series in Contemporary Bioscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7087-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-7087-5_2

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