title: Methane-producing microbial community in a coal bed of the Illinois basin.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: ConocoPhillips, 600 N. Dairy Ashford, PR 3026, Houston, TX 77079, USA. dariusz.strapoc@conocophillips.com
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strapoc
authors.forename: Flynn W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Picardal
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Turich
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schaperdoth
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Macalady
authors.forename: Julius S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lipp
authors.forename: Yu-Shih
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tobias F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Ertefai
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schubotz
authors.forename: Kai-Uwe
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mastalerz
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schimmelmann
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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