Nitrous oxide inhibition of methanogenesis represents an underappreciated greenhouse gas emission feedback

Yin, Yongchao; Kara-Murdoch, Fadime; Murdoch, Robert W.; Yan, Jun; Chen, Gao; Xie, Yongchao; Sun, Yanchen; Löffler, Frank E.

doi:10.1093/ismejo/wrae027

Title: Nitrous oxide inhibition of methanogenesis represents an underappreciated greenhouse gas emission feedback

Journal Article · 05 March 2024 · The ISME Journal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae027 · OSTI ID:2471471

Yin, Yongchao ^[1]; Kara-Murdoch, Fadime ^[2]; Murdoch, Robert W. ^[3]; Yan, Jun ^[4]; Chen, Gao ^[5]; Xie, Yongchao ^[6]; Sun, Yanchen ^[5]; Löffler, Frank E. ^[7]

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Northeastern University, Boston, MA (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, Liaoning (China)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); University of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are major greenhouse gases that are predominantly generated by microbial activities in anoxic environments. N₂O inhibition of methanogenesis has been reported, but comprehensive efforts to obtain kinetic information are lacking. Using the model methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro and digester sludge-derived methanogenic enrichment cultures, we conducted growth yield and kinetic measurements and showed that micromolar concentrations of N₂O suppress the growth of methanogens and CH₄ production from major methanogenic substrate classes. Acetoclastic methanogenesis, estimated to account for two-thirds of the annual 1 billion metric tons of biogenic CH₄, was most sensitive to N₂O, with inhibitory constants (K_I) in the range of 18–25 μM, followed by hydrogenotrophic (K_I, 60–90 μM) and methylotrophic (K_I, 110–130 μM) methanogenesis. Dissolved N₂O concentrations exceeding these K_I values are not uncommon in managed (i.e. fertilized soils and wastewater treatment plants) and unmanaged ecosystems. Future greenhouse gas emissions remain uncertain, particularly from critical zone environments (e.g. thawing permafrost) with large amounts of stored nitrogenous and carbonaceous materials that are experiencing unprecedented warming. Incorporating relevant feedback effects, such as the significant N₂O inhibition on methanogenesis, can refine climate models and improve predictive capabilities.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2471471

Journal Information:: The ISME Journal, Journal Name: The ISME Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 18; ISSN 1751-7362

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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