Thermophilic methanogenesis in a hot-spring algal-bacterial mat (71 to 30/sup 0/C)
Algal-bacterial mats which grow in the effluent channels of alkaline hot springs provided an environment suitable for studying natural thermophilic methane-producing bacteria. Methane was rapidly produced in cores taken from the mat and appeared to be an end product of decomposition of the algal-bacterial organic matter. Formaldehyde prevented production of methane. Initial methanogenic rate was lower and methanogenesis became exponential when samples were permitted to cool before laboratory incubation. Methanogenesis occurred and methanogenic bateria were present over a range of 68 to 30/sup 0/C, with optimum methanogenesis near 45/sup 0/C. The temperature distribution of methanogenesis in the mat is discussed relative to published results on standing crop, primary production, and decomposition in the thermal gradient. The depth distribution of methanogenesis was similar to that of freshwater sediments, with a zone of intense methanogenesis near the mat surface. Methanogenesis in deeper mat layers was very low or undetectable despite large numbers of viable methanogenic bacteria and could not be stimulated by addition of anoxic source water, sulfide, or a macronutrient solution.
- Research Organization:
- Montana State Univ., Bozeman
- OSTI ID:
- 6618211
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 35:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOMASS
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
METHANE
BIOSYNTHESIS
ALGAE
BACTERIA
FORMALDEHYDE
HOT SPRINGS
INHIBITION
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS
ALDEHYDES
ALKANES
BIOCONVERSION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHESIS
THERMAL SPRINGS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
090122* - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
550700 - Microbiology