The importance of hydrogen in landfill fermentations

Forty-two samples taken from two landfills were monitored for CH4 production and apparent steady-state H2 concentration. The rates of methanogenesis in these samples ranged from below the detection limit to 1,900 micromoles kg (dry weight)-1 day-1, and the median steady-state hydrogen concentration...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied and Environmental Microbiology 1996-05, Vol.62 (5), p.1583-1588
Main Authors: Mormile, M.R. (University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK.), Gurijala, K.R, Robinson, J.A, McInerney, M.J, Suflita, J.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACIDE GRAS VOLATIL
ACIDO GRASO VOLATIL
ANAEROBIOSE
ANAEROBIOSIS
Bacteria
Biological and medical sciences
Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes
Biotechnology
DECHET SOLIDE
DESECHOS SOLIDOS
ELIMINACION DE DESECHOS
ELIMINATION DES DECHETS
Environment and pollution
FERMENTACION
FERMENTACION METANICA
FERMENTATION
FERMENTATION METHANIQUE
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
GASES
GAZ
HIDROGENO
Hydrogen
HYDROGENE
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Landfill
MICROORGANISME
MICROORGANISMOS
TERRE
TIERRAS
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Summary:Forty-two samples taken from two landfills were monitored for CH4 production and apparent steady-state H2 concentration. The rates of methanogenesis in these samples ranged from below the detection limit to 1,900 micromoles kg (dry weight)-1 day-1, and the median steady-state hydrogen concentration was 1.4 micromolar in one landfill and 5.2 micromolar in the other. To further investigate the relationship between hydrogen concentration and methanogenesis, a subset of seven landfill samples was selected on basis of their rates of CH4 production, H2 concentrations, sample pHs, and moisture contents. Samples with H2 concentrations of 20 nM had relatively small amounts of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (undetectable to 18.6 mmol of VFA kg [dry weight]-1), while samples with H2 concentrations of 100 nM had relatively high VFA levels (133 to 389 mmol of VFA kg [dry weight]-1). Samples with high H2 and VFA contents had relatively low pH values (less than or equal to 6.3). However, methanogenic and syntrophic bacteria were present in all samples, so the lack of methanogenesis in some samples was not due to a lack of suitable inocula. The low rates of methanogenesis in these samples were probably due to inhibitory effects of low pH and VFA accumulation, resulting from a thermodynamic uncoupling of fatty acid oxidation. As in other anaerobic ecosystems, H2 is a critical intermediate that may be used to monitor the status of landfill fermentations
ISSN:0099-2240
1098-5336
DOI:10.1128/AEM.62.5.1583-1588.1996