Competitive mechanisms for inhibition of sulfate reduction and methane production in the zone of ferric iron reduction in sediments

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6991552

Lovley, D R; Phillips, E J.P.

Mechanisms for inhibition of sulfate reduction and methane production in the zone of Fe(III) reduction in sediments were investigated. Addition of amorphic iron(III) oxyhydroxide to sediments in which sulfate reduction was the predominant terminal electron-accepting process inhibited sulfate reduction 86 to 100%. The decrease in electron flow to sulfate reduction was accompanied by a corresponding increase in electron flow to Fe(III) reduction. In a similar manner, Fe(III) additions also inhibited methane production in sulfate-depleted sediments. The inhibition of sulfate reduction and methane production was the result of substrate limitation, because the sediments retained the potential for sulfate reduction and methane production in the presence of excess hydrogen and acetate. Sediments in which Fe(III) reduction was the predominant terminal electron-accepting process had much lower concentrations of hydrogen and acetate than sediments in which sulfate reduction or methane production was the predominant terminal process. The low concentrations of hydrogen and acetate in the Fe(III)-reducing sediments were the result of metabolism by Fe(III)-reducing organisms of hydrogen and acetate at concentrations lower than sulfate reducers or methanogens could metabolize them. The results indicate that when Fe(III) is in a form that Fe(III)-reducing organisms can readily reduce, Fe(III)-reducing organisms can inhibit sulfate reduction and methane production by outcompeting sulfate reducers and methanogens for electron donors.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Reston, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6991552
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:11; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACETATES
ALKANES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
INHIBITION
IRON
LEPTONS
METABOLISM
METALS
METHANE
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS