Vertical distribution of methanotrophic archaea in an iron-rich groundwater discharge zone.

ABSTRACT: Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to iron reduction (Fe-AOM) is a crucial process for methane removal in terrestrial environments. However, the occurrence of Fe-AOM in natural environments is rare, and the mechanisms behind the direct coupling of methane oxidation and iron reduction remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the environmental factors influencing the distribution of methanotrophic archaea in an iron-rich zone of a freshwater pond in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. High concentration of dissolved ferrous iron supplied by groundwater discharge led to considerable ferrihydrite precipitation. Pore water methane increased with sediment depth, while nitrate and sulfate concentrations were near detection limits throughout the sediment column. The coexistence of fer

SUBMITTER: Yanagawa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11849818 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature