Archaea catalyze iron-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane.

ABSTRACT: Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is crucial for controlling the emission of this potent greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. Nitrite-, nitrate-, and sulfate-dependent methane oxidation is well-documented, but AOM coupled to the reduction of oxidized metals has so far been demonstrated only in environmental samples. Here, using a freshwater enrichment culture, we show that archaea of the order Methanosarcinales, related to "Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens," couple the reduction of environmentally relevant forms of Fe³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ to the oxidation of methane. We obtained an enrichment culture of these archaea under anaerobic, nitrate-reducing conditions with a continuous supply of methane. Via batch incubations using [¹³C]methane, we dem

SUBMITTER: Ettwig KF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5111651 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature