Substrates for sulfate reduction and methane production in intertidal sediments

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5742712

Winfrey, M R; Ward, D M

The activity of and potential substrates for methane-producing bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria were examined in marsh, estuary, and beach intertidal sediments. Slow rates of methane production were detected in all sediments, although rates of sulfate reduction were 100- to 1,000-fold higher. After sulfate was depleted in sediments, the rates of methane production sharply increased. The addition of methylamine stimulated methanogenesis in the presence of sulfate, and (/sup 14/C)methylamine was rapidly converted to /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ and /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ in freshly collected marsh sediment. Acetate, hydrogen, or methionine additions did not stimulate methanogenesis. (methyl-/sup 14/C)methionine and (2-/sup 14/C)acetate were converted to /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ and not to /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ in fresh sediment. No reduction of /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ to /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ occurred in fresh sediment. Molybdate, an inhibitor of sulfate reduction, inhibited (2-/sup 14/C)acetate metabolism by 98.5%. Fluoracetate, an inhibitor of acetate metabolism, inhibited sulfate reduction by 61%. These results suggest that acetate is a major electron donor for sulfate reduction in marine sediments. In the presence of high concentrations of sulfate, methane may be derived from novel substrates such as methylamine.

• Research Organization: Montana State Univ., Bozeman
• OSTI ID: 5742712
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 45:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
BACTERIA
BIODEGRADATION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPETITION
DECOMPOSITION
DESULFOVIBRIO
HYDROCARBONS
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MOLYBDATES
MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SEDIMENTS
SUBSTRATES
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS