Isolation of microorganisms (algae and bacteria) tolerant to high concentrations of CO2 and CH4

• Grant number: 17/17449-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Agreement: BG E&P Brasil (Shell Group)
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Giudici
• Grantee: Bruna Bacaro Borrego
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Natural gas is chemically defined as a mixture of light paraffinic hydrocarbons which, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, remains in the gaseous state. It is an odorless and colorless gas, non-toxic and lighter than air. The composition of the natural gas can vary widely, but methane gas (CH4) is the main component (80 to 95%), also presenting carbon dioxide (CO2) contents. One of the major sources of natural gas production occurs in the oil extraction process where large volumes of natural gas are released. However, the release of gases (CH4 and CO2, mainly) is considered to be one of the main causes of global warming and climate change, although the accentuated uses of fossil fuels and changes in land use are also among the main causes. Given this scenario, there is a need to mitigate natural gas. In this sense, there are some studies focusing on the microbial sequestration of CO2 and CH4. For this, a microbial consortium involving algae and bacteria can be used to mitigate the release of these gases into the atmosphere, since they are considered important for increasing the greenhouse effect. (AU)