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Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
The active methanotrophic community in hydromorphic soils changes in response to changing methane concentration
Claudia Knief1, Steffen Kolb, Paul L E Bodelier
1Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Marburg, Germany.
Environmental Microbiology
|January 21, 2006
Summary
Methanotrophic bacteria in gleyic soils primarily utilize atmospheric methane, with Type II methanotrophs dominating. Methane availability influences the activity of Type I and Type II methanotrophs in these environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Soil science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Gleyic soils are periodically water-saturated environments with an oxic upper layer.
- These soils exhibit methane consumption from the atmosphere, indicating the presence of active methanotrophic communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition and activity of methanotrophic communities in gleyic soils.
- To determine the role of different methanotroph types in methane consumption under varying methane concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation-independent retrieval and quantification of the pmoA gene to identify methanotrophs.
- Incubation of Gleysols with (13)C-labelled methane to trace carbon incorporation into phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs).
Main Results:
- Type II methanotrophs (Methylocystis spp.) were abundant in gleyic soils, suggesting their primary role in atmospheric methane uptake.
- Type I methanotrophs (Methylobacter, Methylocaldum/Methylococcus) were detected, becoming active at higher methane concentrations.
- (13)C-labelling of PLFAs confirmed the activity of Type II methanotrophs at low methane levels and indicated a shift in community composition with increased methane supply.
Conclusions:
- Type II methanotrophs are the main consumers of atmospheric methane in gleyic soils.
- Type I methanotrophs are activated by higher methane concentrations, likely from in-situ production.
- Methanotrophic community composition and activity are significantly influenced by methane availability in these soils.
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