Soil-Derived Inocula Enhance Methane Production and Counteract Common Process Failures During Anaerobic Digestion.

ABSTRACT: Although soil-borne methanogens are known to be highly diverse and adapted to extreme environments, their application as potential (anaerobic) inocula to improve anaerobic digestion has not been investigated until now. The present study aimed at evaluating if soil-derived communities can be beneficial for biogas (methane, CH₄) production and endure unfavorable conditions commonly associated with digestion failure. Nine study sites were chosen and tested for suitability as inoculation sources to improve biogas production via in situ measurements (CH₄ fluxes, physical and chemical soil properties, and abundance of methanogens) and during a series of anaerobic digestions with (a) combinations of both sterile or unsterile soil and diluted fermenter sludge, and (b)

SUBMITTER: Mutschlechner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7606279 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature