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Biotechnologies for greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O, and CO2) abatement: state of the art and challenges

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Abstract

Today, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions represent approximately 98 % of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory worldwide, and their share is expected to increase significantly in this twenty-first century. CO2 represents the most important GHG with approximately 77 % of the total GHG emissions (considering its global warming potential) worldwide, while CH4 and N2O are emitted to a lesser extent (14 and 8 %, respectively) but exhibit global warming potentials 23 and 298 times higher than that of CO2, respectively. Most members of the United Nations, based on the urgent need to maintain the global average temperature 2 °C above preindustrial levels, have committed themselves to significantly reduce their GHG emissions. In this context, an active abatement of these emissions will help to achieve these target emission cuts without compromising industrial growth. Nowadays, there are sufficient empirical evidence to support that biological technologies can become, if properly tailored, a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to physical/chemical methods for the abatement of GHGs. This study constitutes a state-of-the-art review of the microbiology (biochemistry, kinetics, and waste-to-value processes) and bioreactor technology of CH4, N2O, and CO2 abatement. The potential and limitations of biological GHG degradation processes are critically discussed, and the current knowledge gaps and technology niches in the field are identified.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2007-01667, JCI-2011-11009, and BES-2010-030994 contracts; CTQ2012-34949 and CONSOLIDER-CSD 2007-00055 projects). The Regional Government of Castilla y León is gratefully acknowledged (VA004A11-2 and GR76). The contributions of Esther Posadas (University of Valladolid) and Antonio Encina (University of León) during manuscript preparation are also acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011, Valladolid, Spain

    Juan C. López, Guillermo Quijano, Theo S. O. Souza, José M. Estrada, Raquel Lebrero & Raúl Muñoz

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López, J.C., Quijano, G., Souza, T.S.O. et al. Biotechnologies for greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O, and CO2) abatement: state of the art and challenges. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 2277–2303 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-4734-z

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