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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1983 April; 45(4): 1310-1315
Copyright © 1983, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Methanogenesis from Methanol and Methylamines and Acetogenesis from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide in the Sediments of a Eutrophic Lake

Derek R. Lovley and Michael J. Klug

Kellogg Biologícal Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060, and Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824

ABSTRACT

¹⁴C-tracer techniques were used to examine the metabolism of methanol and methylamines and acetogenesis from hydrogen and carbon dioxide in sediments from the profundal and littoral zones of eutrophic Wintergreen Lake, Michigan. Methanogens were primarily responsible for the metabolism of methanol, monomethylamine, and trimethylamine and maintained the pool size of these substrates below 10 µM in both sediment types. Methanol and methylamines were the precursors for less than 5 and 1%, respectively, of the total methane produced. Methanol and methylamines continued to be metabolized to methane when the sulfate concentration in the sediment was increased to 20 mM. Less than 2% of the total acetate production was derived from carbon dioxide reduction. Hydrogen consumption by hydrogen-oxidizing acetogens was 5% or less of the total hydrogen uptake by acetogens and methanogens. These results, in conjunction with previous studies, emphasize that acetate and hydrogen are the major methane precursors and that methanogens are the predominant hydrogen consumers in the sediments of this eutrophic lake.

Present address: Department of Anaerobic Microbiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Article no. 10736 of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and article no. 497 of the Kellogg Biological Station.

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