Temperature limitation of methanogenesis in aquatic sediments
Microbial methane formation in Lake Mendota (southern Wisconsin) is greatly influenced by temperature, according to an investigation of the microbial ecology of methanogenesis in the lake. The results support other findings that bacterial decomposition processes in aquatic sediments are temperature-limited. Sediments were taken at depths of 5, 10, and 18 m. Methanogenesis varied with respect to sediment site and depth, sampling date, in situ temperatures and number of methanogens. Increased numbers of methanogenic bacteria and rates of methanogenesis correlated with increased sediment temperature during seasonal change, with the greatest methanogenic activity observed for 18-m sediments throughout the sampling year. As compared with shallower sediments, 18-m was removed from oxygenation effects and contained higher amounts of ammonia, carbonate and methanogenic bacteria, and the population density of methanogens fluctuated less during seasonal change. It is thought that in any future comparative studies that aim to establish the rates of anaerobic carbon decomposition or to define in situ carbon precursors and mirobial interactions associated with methanogenesis must employ sediments nearly identical with respect to sample site and depth, to date of collection and processing, and to in vitro experimental conditions including anaeobiosis and length and temperature of incubation.
- OSTI ID:
- 5277811
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 31:1; ISSN AEMID
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Ecophysiology of terminal carbon metabolizing bacteria in anoxic sedimentary environments
Effect of sulfate on carbon and electron flow during microbial methanogenesis in freshwater sediments
Related Subjects
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
ECOSYSTEMS
KINETICS
LAKES
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
REACTION KINETICS
SAMPLING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
VARIATIONS