Methanogenesis and Methane Flux in Marine Sediment

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Anoxic environments methanogenesis is the key terminal biochemical process involved in the mineralization of organic matter which is catalyzed by methanogens. The present investigation was carried out to estimate the methanogenesis, methane flux of marine sediments and to study the effect of various parameters over the growth of marine methanogens in Arabian Sea deep sediment samples. The results showed best substrate for the methanogens activity to be formate (30.59 ngmol− 1day− 1), temperature at 40°C (57.73 ngmol− 1day− 1) and when used with the reductants sodium sulfide and cystein hydrochloride combination (27.80 ngmol− 1day− 1). Moreover, the present study concluded the sediments elevated the flux rates.

Keywords: Methanogenesis, methane flux, temperature, reductants, marine sediment