Sulfate reducers can outcompete methanogens at freshwater sulfate concentrations

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

OSTI ID:5849986

Lovley, D R ^[1]; Klug, M J

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1. Michigan State Univ., Hickory Corners

Acetate and hydrogen metabolism by sulfate reducers and methanogens in the profundal sediments of an oligotrophic lake were examined. Inhibition of sulfate reduction with molybdate stimulated methane production from both hydrogen and acetate. Molybdate did not stimulate methane production in sediments that were preincubated to deplete the sulfate pool. Sulfate reduction accounted for 30 to 81% of the total of terminal metabolism proceeding through sulfate reduction and methane production in Eckman grab samples of surface sediments. The ability of sulfate reducers to effectively compete with methanogens for acetate was related to the sulfate reducers lower half-saturation constant for acetate metabolism at in situ sulfate concentrations. Processes other than sulfate reduction and methanogenesis consumed hydrogen at elevated hydrogen partial pressures and prevented a kinetic analysis of hydrogen uptake by sulfate reducers and methanogens. The demonstration that sulfate reducers can successfully compete with methanogens for hydrogen and acetate in sediments at in situ sulfate concentrations of 60 to 105 mM extends the known range of sediment habitats in which sulfate reduction can be a dominant terminal process.

• OSTI ID: 5849986
• 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
ACETATES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIODEGRADATION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COMPETITION
DECOMPOSITION
DESULFOVIBRIO
ELEMENTS
FRESH WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MOLYBDATES
MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REDUCTION
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER