Microbial populations involved in cycling of dimethyl sulfide and methanethiol in freshwater sediments.

ABSTRACT: Although several microorganisms that produce and degrade methanethiol (MT) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) have been isolated from various habitats, little is known about the numbers of these microorganisms in situ. This study reports on the identification and quantification of microorganisms involved in the cycling of MT and DMS in freshwater sediments. Sediment incubation studies revealed that the formation of MT and DMS is well balanced with their degradation. MT formation depends on the concentrations of both sulfide and methyl group-donating compounds. A most-probable number (MPN) dilution series with syringate as the growth substrate showed that methylation of sulfide with methyl groups derived from syringate is a commonly occurring process in situ. MT appeared to be primarily degraded by

SUBMITTER: Lomans BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC92693 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature