Methanol induces low temperature resilient methanogens and improves methane generation from domestic wastewater at low to moderate temperatures.
Low temperature (<20 °C) limits bio-methanation of sewage. Literature shows that hydrogenotrophic methanogens can adapt themselves to low temperature and methanol is a preferred substrate by methanogens in cold habitats. The study hypothesizes that methanol can induce the growth of low-temperature resilient, methanol utilizing, hydrogenotrophs in UASB reactor. The hypothesis was tested in field conditions to evaluate the impact of seasonal temperature variations on methane yield in the presence and absence of methanol. Results show that 0.04% (v/v) methanol increased methane up to 15 times and its effect was more pronounced at lower temperatures. The qPCR analysis showed the presence of Methanobacteriales along with Methanosetaceae in large numbers. This indicates methanol induced the growth of both the hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic groups through direct and indirect routes, respectively. This study thus demonstrated that methanol can impart resistance in methanogenic biomass to low temperature and can improve performance of UASB reactor.
CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020, India.
Shaswati
S
Saha
CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020, India.
Neha
N
Badhe
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology & Technology (LabMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
Jo
J
De Vrieze
CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020, India. Electronic address: ra_biswas@neeri.res.in.
Rima
R
Biswas
CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020, India.
Tapas
T
Nandy
D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017012:Methanobacteriales / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000432:Methanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology*
D008697:Methane; D000432:Methanol; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater
Low temperature; Methanol; RSM; Sewage; UASB