The Sulfur Conversion Functional Microbial Communities in Biogas Liquid Can Participate in Coal Degradation

Area of Science:

• Microbial Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• Organic Geochemistry

Background:

• Biogas liquid addition enhances biological coalbed methane yield.
• The role of biogas liquid's microbial communities in coal's sulfur conversion is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of sulfur conversion-related microbial communities from biogas liquid in altering coal's microbial structure and organic sulfur content.

Main Methods:

• Enrichment of sulfur conversion-related microbes from biogas liquid.
• Co-culturing enriched microbes with coal.
• Analysis of coal's microbial community composition, microscopic structure, and organic sulfur compounds.

Main Results:

• Enriched microbial communities, dominated by Anaerosolibacter, Bacillus, Hydrogenispora, and Oxobacter, altered coal's microbial composition but did not increase methane or hydrogen sulfide.
• Microscopic analysis revealed increased coal surface porosity and roughness.
• Specific aromatic and alkyl sulfur compounds were increased, indicating organic sulfur conversion.

Conclusions:

• Sulfur-related microbial communities from biogas liquid can modify coal's microbial ecosystem.
• These communities are involved in the transformation of organic sulfur compounds within coal, potentially impacting coal properties.