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Zero-valent sulphur is a key intermediate in marine methane oxidation

Author

Listed:
  • Jana Milucka

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Timothy G. Ferdelman

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Lubos Polerecky

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Daniela Franzke

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Gunter Wegener

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
    Alfred Wegener Institute, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany)

  • Markus Schmid

    (University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Ingo Lieberwirth

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany)

  • Michael Wagner

    (University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Friedrich Widdel

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Marcel M. M. Kuypers

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

Emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from marine sediments are controlled by anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled primarily to sulphate reduction (AOM). Sulphate-coupled AOM is believed to be mediated by a consortium of methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and sulphate-reducing Deltaproteobacteria but the underlying mechanism has not yet been resolved. Here we show that zero-valent sulphur compounds (S0) are formed during AOM through a new pathway for dissimilatory sulphate reduction performed by the methanotrophic archaea. Hence, AOM might not be an obligate syntrophic process but may be carried out by the ANME alone. Furthermore, we show that the produced S0—in the form of disulphide—is disproportionated by the Deltaproteobacteria associated with the ANME. Our observations expand the diversity of known microbially mediated sulphur transformations and have significant implications for our understanding of the biogeochemical carbon and sulphur cycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Milucka & Timothy G. Ferdelman & Lubos Polerecky & Daniela Franzke & Gunter Wegener & Markus Schmid & Ingo Lieberwirth & Michael Wagner & Friedrich Widdel & Marcel M. M. Kuypers, 2012. "Zero-valent sulphur is a key intermediate in marine methane oxidation," Nature, Nature, vol. 491(7425), pages 541-546, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:491:y:2012:i:7425:d:10.1038_nature11656
    DOI: 10.1038/nature11656
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    Cited by:

    1. Liang, Jianzhen & Feng, Jing-Chun & Chen, Xiao & Li, Cun & Zhang, Si, 2024. "Increasing temperature and sulfate enhances the efficiency of methane abatement in an anaerobic oxidation of methane bioreactor (AOMB) system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    2. Rui Xie & Daidai Wu & Jie Liu & Tiantian Sun & Lihua Liu & Nengyou Wu, 2019. "Geochemical Evidence of Metal-Driven Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane in the Shenhu Area, the South China Sea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, September.

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