Abstract

The inhibitory effects of sulfide on microbial processes during anaerobic digestion have been widely addressed. However, other effects of sulfide are less explored, given that sulfide is a potential sulfur source for microorganisms and its high reactivity triggers a suit of abiotic reactions. We demonstrated that sulfide interaction with Fe regulates the dynamics and activities of microbial community during anaerobic digestion. This was manifested by the S:Fe molar ratio, whose increase adversely influenced the acetoclastic methanogens, Methanosaeta, and turnover of acetate. Dynamics of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, Methanoculleus and Methanobrevibacter, were presumably influenced by sulfide-induced changes in the partial pressure of hydrogen. Interestingly, conversion of the long-chain fatty acid (LCFA), oleate, to methane was enhanced together with the abundance of LCFA-degrading, beta-oxidizing Syntrophomonas at an elevated S:Fe molar ratio. The results suggested that sulfur chemical speciation is a controlling factor for microbial community functions in anaerobic digestion processes. (C) 2016, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Anaerobic digestion; Sulfide; Iron; Microbial community; Sewage sludge

Published in

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
2017, Volume: 123, number: 5, pages: 597-605
Publisher: SOC BIOSCIENCE BIOENGINEERING JAPAN

SLU Authors

• Skyllberg, Ulf

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Renewable Bioenergy Research


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.12.003

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/83022