Fe3O4 nanoparticles promote methanogenesis in propionate acclimated system
Fangzhou Wang1, Ge Song2, Mou Zhang3
1Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Regional Environment and Sustainability, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
Abstract:
Propionate accumulation is common in anaerobic digestion systems, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) show potential in steering direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) to facilitate methanogenesis from propionate. However, the effect of Fe3O4 NPs in stable microbial communities remains unclear. This study demonstrated that 1.0 g/L Fe3O4 NPs enhanced propionate degradation and methane production by 220 % and 55 % of the propionate-acclimated microbial consortia post-shock loading, as evidenced by batch-test. High propionate concentrations suppressed Geobacter, yet Fe3O4 NPs enabled electron syntrophy between alternative DIET-participants (Arcobacter, Syntrophobacter) and methanogens (Methanothrix, Methanobacterium) serving as electron conduits. Network analysis further revealed that Fe3O4 NPs activated interactions among potential electroactive microbes, highlighting the potentially ubiquitous presence of electron syntrophy. Even in propionate-stressed microbial communities, such mutualism may be rapidly activated by Fe3O4 NPs, offering a practical solution for mitigating propionate accumulation and enhance digester performance.
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