Methane-producing microbial community in a coal bed of the Illinois basin.
A series of molecular and geochemical studies were performed to study microbial, coal bed methane formation in the eastern Illinois Basin. Results suggest that organic matter is biodegraded to simple molecules, such as H(2) and CO(2), which fuel methanogenesis and the generation of large coal bed methane reserves. Small-subunit rRNA analysis of both the in situ microbial community and highly purified, methanogenic enrichments indicated that Methanocorpusculum is the dominant genus. Additionally, we characterized this methanogenic microorganism using scanning electron microscopy and distribution of intact polar cell membrane lipids. Phylogenetic studies of coal water samples helped us develop a model of methanogenic biodegradation of macromolecular coal and coal-derived oil by a complex microbial community. Based on enrichments, phylogenetic analyses, and calculated free energies at in situ subsurface conditions for relevant metabolisms (H(2)-utilizing methanogenesis, acetoclastic methanogenesis, and homoacetogenesis), H(2)-utilizing methanogenesis appears to be the dominant terminal process of biodegradation of coal organic matter at this location.
Strapoc
Dariusz
D
ConocoPhillips, 600 N. Dairy Ashford, PR 3026, Houston, TX 77079, USA. dariusz.strapoc@conocophillips.com
Picardal
Flynn W
FW
Turich
Courtney
C
Schaperdoth
Irene
I
Macalady
Jennifer L
JL
Lipp
Julius S
JS
Lin
Yu-Shih
YS
Ertefai
Tobias F
TF
Schubotz
Florence
F
Hinrichs
Kai-Uwe
KU
Mastalerz
Maria
M
Schimmelmann
Arndt
A
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D003031:Coal / Q000382:microbiology*; D019641:DNA, Archaeal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D007087:Illinois; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017018:Methanomicrobiales / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D003031:Coal; D019641:DNA, Archaeal; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D008697:Methane