Global Methane Cycle

<p>Methane is oxidized either photochemically in the atmosphere or biologically in terrestrial and aquatic systems. The ocean, grasslands, and desert form major methane sinks, whereas wetlands, agricultural and grazing lands, and other anthropogenic sources such as landfills, are major sources. The cow depicted in the figure represents diverse ruminants. Anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen in the form of ammonia compete for MMOs, reducing methane oxidation and leading to the formation of nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas.</p

Predicted Central Metabolic Pathways of M. capsulatus

<p>Genomic information was used to predict the flow of carbon from methanotrophy pathways into carbon fixation pathways, and thence into glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and the TCA cycle. Locus names are indicated next to key steps. Some intermediates are omitted.</p