Acetoclastic methane formation fromEucalyptusdetritus in pristine hydrocarbon-rich river sediments byMethanosarcinales

Researchers have identified acetoclastic methanogenesis as the primary process driving methane production in pristine hydrocarbon-rich river sediments within Australia's Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The study, using quantitative PCR and 454 pyrosequencing, revealed that members of the Methanosarcinales order mediate this process, with the highest methane production rates (10.8 ± 0.5 μg g(-1) wet weight day(-1)) observed at a 40 cm sediment depth. Stable isotopic analysis confirmed an acetoclastic origin for the methane, while long-term enrichment cultures further supported the role of Methanosarcinales in this process. The study also highlighted the potential involvement of unclassified hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from groups like Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi and Firmicutes in fueling acetoclastic methanogenesis.

Beckmann, S., & Manefield, M. (2014). Acetoclastic methane formation fromEucalyptusdetritus in pristine hydrocarbon-rich river sediments byMethanosarcinales. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 90(3), 587–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/1574-6941.12418