Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 16346164

Sulfate Reducers Can Outcompete Methanogens at Freshwater Sulfate Concentrations

Overview
Journal Appl Environ Microbiol
Specialties Environmental Health
Microbiology
Date 1983 Jan 1
PMID 16346164
Citations 79
Authors
D R Lovley
M J Klug
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

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 muM extends the known range of sediment habitats in which sulfate reduction can be a dominant terminal process.

Citing Articles

The large role of declining atmospheric sulfate deposition and rising CO concentrations in stimulating future wetland CH emissions.

Shen L, Peng S, Zhang Z, Tong C, Lin J, Li Y Sci Adv. 2025; 11(6):eadn1056.

PMID: 39908374 PMC: 11797542. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn1056.

Diversity and ecology of microbial sulfur metabolism.

Zhou Z, Tran P, Cowley E, Trembath-Reichert E, Anantharaman K Nat Rev Microbiol. 2024; 23(2):122-140.

PMID: 39420098 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01104-3.

Marine aquaculture can deliver 40% lower carbon footprints than freshwater aquaculture based on feed, energy and biogeochemical cycles.

Shen L, Wu L, Wei W, Yang Y, MacLeod M, Lin J Nat Food. 2024; 5(7):615-624.

PMID: 38907010 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-01004-y.

Disentangling the effects of sulfate and other seawater ions on microbial communities and greenhouse gas emissions in a coastal forested wetland.

de Mesquita C, Hartman W, Ardon M, Tringe S ISME Commun. 2024; 4(1):ycae040.

PMID: 38628812 PMC: 11020224. DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae040.

Vertically stratified methane, nitrogen and sulphur cycling and coupling mechanisms in mangrove sediment microbiomes.

Qian L, Yu X, Gu H, Liu F, Fan Y, Wang C Microbiome. 2023; 11(1):71.

PMID: 37020239 PMC: 10074775. DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01501-5.

References
1.
Winfrey M, Zeikus J . Effect of sulfate on carbon and electron flow during microbial methanogenesis in freshwater sediments. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1977; 33(2):275-81. PMC: 170678. DOI: 10.1128/aem.33.2.275-281.1977. View
2.
Thauer R, Jungermann K, Decker K . Energy conservation in chemotrophic anaerobic bacteria. Bacteriol Rev. 1977; 41(1):100-80. PMC: 413997. DOI: 10.1128/br.41.1.100-180.1977. View
3.
Laanbroek H, Pfennig N . Oxidation of short-chain fatty acids by sulfate-reducing bacteria in freshwater and in marine sediments. Arch Microbiol. 1981; 128(3):330-5. DOI: 10.1007/BF00422540. View
4.
Smith R, Klug M . Reduction of sulfur compounds in the sediments of a eutrophic lake basin. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981; 41(5):1230-7. PMC: 243894. DOI: 10.1128/aem.41.5.1230-1237.1981. View
5.
Sorensen J, Christensen D, Jorgensen B . Volatile Fatty acids and hydrogen as substrates for sulfate-reducing bacteria in anaerobic marine sediment. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981; 42(1):5-11. PMC: 243952. DOI: 10.1128/aem.42.1.5-11.1981. View