Bioremediation: How to Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Cattle

Abstract

Introduction: The concentration of greenhouse gases within the atmosphere is currently on the rise. With the increase in human population comes a growing need for greater food security in order to support our population. The agricultural industry has a carbon footprint comparable to that of other extensive producers such as oil production facilities, waste sectors and industrial processors. This study aims to establish an experimental design to modify the current microbiome in cattle, as cattle farming practices account for a majority of agricultural methane production in North America. Methods: Young Canadian Holstein cattle with developing ruminal microbiomes will be placed into control and treatment groups and studied over the duration of 4 weeks. Ruminococcus hydrogenotrophicus will be inserted into the rumen of the experimental groups of cattle. Results: Results will generate findings on the basis of reducing methanogenic activity among the rumen of cattle, and therefore the results may propose a feasible answer towards the decreasing of the agricultural carbon footprint among the cattle industry. Discussion: The ability to decrease or eliminate the methane produced from agriculture would be a significant finding in current global studies. Through/by combining knowledge from environmental biology, agricultural science, microbiology and animal biology, solutions can be found for reducing the agricultural carbon footprint. Conclusion: The use of bioremediation methods to decrease methane production is a new area of research. By cultivating a microorganism that can compete with the methanogenic bacteria within the rumen of cows, less methane yield is plausible. Ultimately, leading to a proposed answer to curb climate change values to a decreasing end.