Abstract
Microbial communities were monitored in terms of structure, function and response to physicochemical variables during anaerobic digestion of tannery and associated slaughterhouse effluent in: (i) 2 L biochemical methane potential batch reactors at different inoculum to substrate ratios (2–5) and initial sulfate concentrations (665–2000 mg/L), and (ii) 20 L anaerobic sequencing batch reactors with different mixing regimes (continuous vs. intermittent). Methanogenic and sulfidogenic community compositions in the 2 L reactors evolved initially, but stabilised after the start of biogas generation, although significant (ANOSIM p < 0.05) changes in the physicochemical parameters indicated continued metabolic activity. Both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic archaeal genera were present in high relative abundances. Continuous stirring preferentially selected the metabolically versatile genus Methanosarcina, suggesting that higher specific methane generation in the continuously stirred system (168 vs. 19.5 mL methane per gram volatile solids per week) was related to the metabolic activities of members of this genus.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 126308 |
| Journal | Bioresource Technology |
| Volume | 347 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| ISSN | 0960-8524 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to acknowledge the Water Research Commission of South Africa for funding this project (Project K5/2471/3). The contents of the manuscript do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the funding organisation. The authors would also like to thank Gareth Holtman and Dr Rob van Hille for their invaluable assistance setting up the reactors. There are no competing interests for this work.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Methanogenesis
- Methanosarcina mazei
- Methanosarcina soligelidi
- Mixing
- Sulfate reduction