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Methanogenesis in subglacial sediments.

Eric S Boyd1, Mark Skidmore, Andrew C Mitchell

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Astrobiology Biogeocatalysis Research Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. Department of Earth Sciences and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.

Environmental Microbiology Reports
|June 15, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Methanogenic archaea, crucial for the carbon cycle, were found active in subglacial sediments. This study provides the first clear evidence of methanogenesis beneath glaciers, impacting global methane budgets.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Geochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Methanogenic archaea produce methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, playing a key role in Earth's carbon cycle.
  • Subglacial environments, covering 11% of landmass, remain largely unexplored for microbial activity, particularly methanogenesis.
  • Previous research lacked clear evidence demonstrating methanogenic activity in these unique, ice-covered ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and provide evidence for the presence and activity of methanogenic archaea in subglacial sediments.
  • To quantify methane and its metabolic biomarkers in subglacial environments.
  • To characterize the genetic makeup of archaeal communities in these settings.

Main Methods:

  • Collected subglacial sediment cores from Robertson Glacier (RG), Canadian Rockies.
  • Quantified porewater methane (CH4) concentrations and Coenzyme M (CoM), a biomarker for methanogens.
  • Employed genetic analysis (16S rRNA and mcrA genes) to identify archaeal phylotypes.
  • Conducted enrichment cultures to measure CH4 production rates at 4°C.

Main Results:

  • Detected porewater CH4 at 16 and 29 ppmv and CoM at 1.3 nmol g sediment(-1), indicating ∼3 × 10(3) active methanogen cells g sediment(-1).
  • Genetic analysis revealed phylotypes affiliated with the Methanosarcinales order within the subglacial sediment communities.
  • Enrichment cultures demonstrated active CH4 production at rates of 9–51 fmol g dry weight sediment(-1) h(-1).

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first robust genetic, biochemical, and geochemical evidence for active methanogenesis in subglacial sediments.
  • The findings highlight the significant, yet previously underestimated, contribution of the vast subglacial biome to the global carbon cycle.
  • The presence of methanogens in these environments has critical implications for understanding global methane budgets and climate modeling.