Molecular Evidence for an Active Microbial Methane Cycle in Subsurface Serpentinite-Hosted Groundwaters in the Samail Ophiolite, Oman.

ABSTRACT: Serpentinization can generate highly reduced fluids replete with hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄), potent reductants capable of driving microbial methanogenesis and methanotrophy, respectively. However, CH₄ in serpentinized waters is thought to be primarily abiogenic, raising key questions about the relative importance of methanogens and methanotrophs in the production and consumption of CH₄ in these systems. Herein, we apply molecular approaches to examine the functional capability and activity of microbial CH₄ cycling in serpentinization-impacted subsurface waters intersecting multiple rock and water types within the Samail Ophiolite of Oman. Abundant 16S rRNA genes and transcripts affiliated with the methanogenic genus Methanobact

SUBMITTER: Kraus EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7783335 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature