Thermodynamics methanogenesis

Fig. 33.4. Factors controlling rates of microbial activity in the simulation depicted in Figure 33.3, for acetotrophic sulfate reduction (top) and acetoclastic methanogenesis (bottom). Factors include the thermodynamic potential factor Ft, kinetic factors FD = wac/C ac + Kq) and FA = mso4/(mso4 + K A), and biomass concentration [A],...

A second possibility yields the same net reaction but is driven by a syntrophic relationship between an organism that oxidizes CH4 to CO2/H2 and an S04 -reducing bacterium that consumes H2, thereby maintaining a thermodynamically favorable environment for the reaction (Hoehler et al., 1994). In this case, anaerobic CH4 oxidation is analogous to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in... 

A modification of the reverse methanogenesis hypothesis was offered by Valentine and Reeburg (2000). This reaction would yield twice the amount of energy normally associated with anaerobic CH4 oxidation (reaction (6)), making it more thermodynamically favorable ... 

Liu JS, Marison IW, von Stockar U (2001) Microbial growth by a net heat up-take a calorimetric and thermodynamic study on acetotrophic methanogenesis by Methanosarcina barkeri. Biotechnol Bioeng 75 170-180... 

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