Biogas production using anaerobic groundwater containing a subterranean microbial community associated with the accretionary prism. Issue 5 (29th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baito, Kyohei; Imai, Satomi; Matsushita, Makoto; Otani, Miku; Sato, Yu; Kimura, Hiroyuki
• Is Part Of: Microbial biotechnology. Volume 8:Issue 5(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 837
• Page End: 845
• Publication Date: 2014-09-29
• Subjects: Microbial biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Microbiology; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12179
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7915

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>In a deep aquifer associated with an accretionary prism, significant methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) is produced by a subterranean microbial community. Here, we developed bioreactors for producing CH<sub>4</sub> and hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) using anaerobic groundwater collected from the deep aquifer. To generate CH<sub>4</sub>, the anaerobic groundwater amended with organic substrates was incubated in the bioreactor. At first, H<sub>2</sub> was detected and accumulated in the gas phase of the bioreactor. After the H<sub>2</sub> decreased, rapid CH<sub>4</sub> production was observed. Phylogenetic analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes revealed that the H<sub>2</sub>‐producing fermentative bacterium and hydrogenotrophic methanogen were predominant in the reactor. The results suggested that syntrophic biodegradation of organic substrates by the H<sub>2</sub>‐producing fermentative bacterium and the hydrogenotrophic methanogen contributed to the CH<sub>4</sub> production. For H<sub>2</sub> production, the anaerobic groundwater, amended with organic substrates and an inhibitor of methanogens (2‐bromoethanesulfonate), was incubated in a bioreactor. After incubation for 24 h, H<sub>2</sub> was detected from the gas phase of the bioreactor and accumulated. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested the dominance of the H<sub>2</sub>‐producing fermentative bacterium in the reactor. Our study demonstrated a simple and rapid CH<sub>4</sub> and H<sub>2</sub> production utilizing anaerobic groundwater containing an active subterranean microbial community.</p> </abstract>