Concurrent Methane Production and Oxidation in Surface Sediment from Aarhus Bay, Denmark.

ABSTRACT: Marine surface sediments, which are replete with sulfate, are typically considered to be devoid of endogenous methanogenesis. Yet, methanogenic archaea are present in those sediments, suggesting a potential for methanogenesis. We used an isotope dilution method based on sediment bag incubation and spiking with ¹³C-CH₄ to quantify CH₄ turnover rates in sediment from Aarhus Bay, Denmark. In two independent experiments, highest CH₄ production and oxidation rates (>200 pmol cm^-3 d^-1) were found in the top 0-2 cm, below which rates dropped below 100 pmol cm^-3 d^-1 in all other segments down to 16 cm. This drop in overall methane turnover with depth was accompanied by decreasing rates of organic matter mineral

SUBMITTER: Xiao KQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5492102 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature