Response of Methanogen Communities to the Elevation of Cathode Potentials in Bioelectrochemical Reactors Amended with Magnetite.

ABSTRACT: Electromethanogenesis refers to the process whereby methanogens utilize current for the reduction of CO₂ to CH₄. Setting low cathode potentials is essential for this process. In this study, we tested if magnetite, an iron oxide mineral widespread in the environment, can facilitate the adaptation of methanogen communities to the elevation of cathode potentials in electrochemical reactors. Two-chamber electrochemical reactors were constructed with inoculants obtained from paddy field soil. We elevated cathode potentials stepwise from the initial -0.6 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) to -0.5 V and then to -0.4 V over the 130 days of acclimation. Only weak current consumption and CH₄ production were observed in the bioreactors without magnetite. H

SUBMITTER: Gao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8516050 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature