Gas pipelines, highways for hydrogenotrophic spore-forming bacteria

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Geochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Microbial endospores can survive extreme conditions found in natural gas transmission and storage.
• Understanding microbial life in underground gas storage (UGS) is crucial for energy systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detect and characterize microbes in natural gas pipelines and UGS facilities.
• To investigate the metabolic capabilities and ecological role of identified bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of a novel aseptic sampling device for natural gas.
• Isolation and identification of microbial endospores using cultural and genomic analyses.
• Analysis of bacterial metabolic functions including acetogenesis and biofilm formation.

Main Results:

• Microbial endospores from the same hydrogenotrophic bacterial species (Peptococcaceae) were identified across multiple UGS facilities and pipeline networks.
• These bacteria exhibit acetogenesis, biofilm formation, and formate production.
• Formate production by these microbes can influence biogeochemical cycles and potentially inhibit sulfate reduction.

Conclusions:

• Resilient microbial communities inhabit natural gas infrastructure, actively participating in biogeochemical processes.
• Identified bacteria play a role in formate production, relevant to dihydrogen injection into deep aquifers.
• Understanding these microbial activities is vital for managing underground energy storage and transport systems.