São Paulo School of Advanced Methane Science

Abstract

The global budget of atmospheric methane (CH4), which is on the order of 500-600 Tg CH4 per year, is mainly the result of environmental microbial processes, such as archaeal methanogenesis in wetlands, rice fields, ruminant and termite digestive systems and of microbial methane oxidation under anoxic and oxic conditions. Microbes in the environment play major roles in both global methane emissions and marine/terrestrial sinks.Recent advances in methane science has resulted in fundamental new knowledge but we still have more questions than answers regarding the global budgets, biogeochemical cycling, and microbiology of methanogenesis and methanotrophy. The search for novel methanogenic and methanotrophic organisms, traits and habitats ranges from human-managed systems to the most extreme environments on Earth and, perhaps, even other planets. For that reason, hosting an advanced school focused on methane science is a unique opportunity to enhance our potential for developing new research directions and to bring together a select group of scholars who are on the forefront of methane research.The São Paulo School of Advanced Methane Science will discuss with the students from different countries the origin and biogeochemistry of methane, recent research regarding anaerobic CH4 oxidation and CH4 production in terrestrial and marine environments, and the discovery of novel aerobic methanotrophic and methanogenic microorganisms and their role in CH4 cycling. Also the recent application of this knowledge for bioenergy production, management of hydropower reservoirs, landfills and agronomy will be discussed by the national and international invited lecturers.The technical visits will take the students to visit different Institutes and structures in São Paulo where different methane related projects have been developed, including CENA, ESALQ, CEFAP, IO and the oceanographic vessel Alpha-Crucis. (AU)