Inhibitory effects of nitrate reduction on methanogenesis in the presence of different electron donors
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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
Published on: December 6, 2018
1School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0512, USA.
Abstract:
The preferential utilization of different electron donors and their effects on the nitrate reduction and methanogenesis in a mixed, mesophilic (35 degrees C) methanogenic culture were investigated. Batch methanogenic cultures were fed with dextrin/peptone (D/P), propionate, acetate, and H(2)/CO(2) at an initial COD of 500 mg/L and an initial nitrate concentration of 50 mg N/L. Immediate cessation of methane production was observed in all nitrate-amended cultures. Methane production completely recovered in the D/P- and acetate-fed cultures, and partially recovered or did not recover in the propionate- and H(2)/CO(2)-fed, nitrate-amended cultures, respectively. Accumulation of denitrification intermediates was observed in both the propionate- and H(2)/CO(2)-fed cultures, which resulted in inhibition of fermentation and/or methanogenesis. The fastest and the slowest nitrate reduction were observed in the acetate- and propionate-fed cultures, respectively.
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