Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany
Coal-bearing sediments are major reservoirs of organic matter potentially available for methanogenic subsurface microbial communities. In this study the specific microbial community inside lignite-bearing anoxic cenozoic sediments from a coal mine and its contribution to methanogenic hydrocarbon deg...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00200/full |
| _version_ | 1830514103340236800 |
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| author | Friederike eGruendger Núria eJiménez Thomas eThielemann Nontje eStraaten Tillmann eLüders Hans H. Richnow Martin eKrüger |
| author_facet | Friederike eGruendger Núria eJiménez Thomas eThielemann Nontje eStraaten Tillmann eLüders Hans H. Richnow Martin eKrüger |
| author_sort | Friederike eGruendger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coal-bearing sediments are major reservoirs of organic matter potentially available for methanogenic subsurface microbial communities. In this study the specific microbial community inside lignite-bearing anoxic cenozoic sediments from a coal mine and its contribution to methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation processes was investigated. The stable isotope signature of methane measured in groundwater and coal-rich sediment samples indicated methanogenic activity. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the presence of methanogenic Archaea, predominantly belonging to the orders Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales, capable of acetoclastic or hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Furthermore, we identified fermenting, sulfate-, nitrate- and metal-reducing, or acetogenic Bacteria clustering within the phyla Proteobacteria, complemented by members of the classes Actinobacteria, and Clostridia. The indigenous microbial communities found in the groundwater as well as in the coal-rich sediments are able to degrade coal-derived organic components and to produce methane as the final product. Lignite-bearing sediments may be an important nutrient and energy source influencing larger compartments via groundwater transport. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:57:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d79b1e8db0de4a7c8a3a00d8334e9831 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:57:00Z |
| publishDate | 2015-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d79b1e8db0de4a7c8a3a00d8334e98312022-12-21T18:41:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2015-03-01610.3389/fmicb.2015.00200129943Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, GermanyFriederike eGruendger0Núria eJiménez1Thomas eThielemann2Nontje eStraaten3Tillmann eLüders4Hans H. Richnow5Martin eKrüger6Federal Institue for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)Federal Institue for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)Federal Institue for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)Federal Institue for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)Helmholtz Center for Environmental HealthHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)Federal Institue for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR)Coal-bearing sediments are major reservoirs of organic matter potentially available for methanogenic subsurface microbial communities. In this study the specific microbial community inside lignite-bearing anoxic cenozoic sediments from a coal mine and its contribution to methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation processes was investigated. The stable isotope signature of methane measured in groundwater and coal-rich sediment samples indicated methanogenic activity. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the presence of methanogenic Archaea, predominantly belonging to the orders Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales, capable of acetoclastic or hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Furthermore, we identified fermenting, sulfate-, nitrate- and metal-reducing, or acetogenic Bacteria clustering within the phyla Proteobacteria, complemented by members of the classes Actinobacteria, and Clostridia. The indigenous microbial communities found in the groundwater as well as in the coal-rich sediments are able to degrade coal-derived organic components and to produce methane as the final product. Lignite-bearing sediments may be an important nutrient and energy source influencing larger compartments via groundwater transport.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00200/fullCoalmethanogenesismethanogenic archaeafluvial depositsstable isotope fractionationCenozoic sediments |
| spellingShingle | Friederike eGruendger Núria eJiménez Thomas eThielemann Nontje eStraaten Tillmann eLüders Hans H. Richnow Martin eKrüger Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany Frontiers in Microbiology Coal methanogenesis methanogenic archaea fluvial deposits stable isotope fractionation Cenozoic sediments |
| title | Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany |
| title_full | Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany |
| title_fullStr | Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany |
| title_short | Microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal-bearing sedimentary basin, Germany |
| title_sort | microbial methane formation in deep aquifers of a coal bearing sedimentary basin germany |
| topic | Coal methanogenesis methanogenic archaea fluvial deposits stable isotope fractionation Cenozoic sediments |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00200/full |
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