Bacterial Cycling of Methyl Halides

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the monohalogenated methanes methyl chloride (MeCl) and methyl bromide (MeBr), their natural and anthropogenic sources, and their degradation by microorganisms, specifically by aerobic bacteria that can use MeBr and MeCl as sole source of carbon and energy. The biogeochemical cycle of methyl halides and the microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnological potential of methyl halide-degrading microorganisms are discussed in the chapter. Methyl halides are the dominant halocarbons in the atmosphere. They play an important role in regulating stratospheric ozone concentrations and global warming as well, two factors governing planetary habitability. The monohalomethanes—methyl chloride (MeCl), methyl bromide (MeBr), and methyl iodide (MeI)—are trace gases in the atmosphere with average tropospheric-mixing ratios of 600, 10, and 2 parts per trillion (ppt), respectively. However, methyl halides are radiatively active and hence contribute to global warming by absorbing radiation in the infrared region. This is evident in their elevated global warming potential (GWP), a value calculated to quantify each compound's warming effect (on a mass basis) relative to the same mass of CO 2 . Compounds with high GWP including those like methyl halides with low concentrations may have considerable impact on atmospheric warming when compared with other “greenhouse” gases with low GWP.