Scientists have reported that bacteria consumed almost all of the methane released from BP's broken wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico last year, which could have contributed to climate change. Approximately 200,000 tons of methane were released, but bacteria in the deep water of the Gulf managed to consume most of it before it could reach the atmosphere. This process did lead to a loss of about 1 million tons of dissolved oxygen in certain areas, but it did not result in a significant decrease in oxygen levels overall. The study, published in the journal Science, addresses the importance of understanding what happens to methane in the environment due to its potent greenhouse gas effects. Similar to carbon dioxide, methane is produced by both natural and human activities, including the petroleum industry. Following the BP blowout in April 2010, methane was not being consumed in and around the wellhead for two months, raising concerns among scientists that it could remain in the water and eventually reach the atmosphere, potentially exacerbating climate change by trapping heat. Research suggests that large releases of methane into the atmosphere have occurred in the past, primarily from natural sources, prompting investigation into the role of bacteria in these instances. The BP spill provided an unintentional opportunity to observe how certain bacteria thrived on a diet of methane, multiplying rapidly as the methane dispersed through the underwater plume created by the damaged well. The highest methane consumption likely occurred in late July and early August. In addition to methane, other organisms also consumed hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane released during the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The methane-eating bacteria were the last to join the feast, and based on previous observations, scientists were unsure if they would be able to effectively consume the methane. Initially, it was believed that the bacteria would work much slower due to the usual slow consumption rate of methane. The scientists suggested that because the bacteria were able to consume a significant amount of methane, they may also be able to absorb other substantial releases of deep ocean methane. Last month, the US government filed a civil suit against BP and its partners for the damage caused by the spill. The White House commission on the oil spill concluded that BP and its partners made cost-cutting decisions that played a role in causing the spill.