Sulfate reducers can outcompete methanogens at freshwater sulfate concentrations.

TitleSulfate reducers can outcompete methanogens at freshwater sulfate concentrations.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1983
AuthorsLovley DR, Klug MJ
JournalAppl Environ Microbiol
Volume45
Issue1
Pagination187-92
Date Published1983 Jan
ISSN0099-2240
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.

Alternate JournalAppl. Environ. Microbiol.
PubMed ID16346164