#methanogenic

[johniac]

SciTech Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jan 21, 2025

[ifyougivethezeitgeistasword]

maybe i’ll go cry at the grocery store that would cheer me up lol. as i freak out about not knowing what my body wants me to eat

[the-real-list-of-ominous-threats]

i'm going to cause an ecological disaster in your gut biome

increasing the firmicute and methanogen levels :(

[opalescent-apples-draws]

Day 14: methanogenic archaea

Odd fella. Round fella.

[thespacewirednews]

Study suggests microbial life could exist beneath Mars' surface !

New research led by Andrea Butturini from the University of Barcelona suggests that microbial life could exist beneath Mars' surface. The study identifies Acidalia Planitia, a vast Martian plain, as a potential habitat for methanogens-microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions. Despite challenges in reaching these depths, the study raises hopes of discovering extraterrestrial life on Mars.

[dailydoseofspore]

And the top 3 are...

The Blue Bingo-Butted Bearded Gecko by @mmeveronica in first!

i gave him a medal and some rings!

The Sand Nibbler by @enigmakiwi in 2nd place!

And the Omadzu by @methanogen 3rd place!

[johniac]

SciTech Chronicles. . . . . . . . .Feb 4th, 2025

[ourkittyus]

I had to look this up and what I found as to why they do this is:

As fish control pests and weeds, fewer chemicals (such as pesticides and herbicides) are used, reducing the release of these agricultural chemicals into the environment. Paddies with fish have been measured to require 24% less fertilizer input and 68% less pesticide usage than rice grown alone. In addition, farmers often choose not to use pesticides, to avoid harming the fish.

In turn, biodiversity is increased. For example, the addition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to a rice monoculture increased the number of energy transfer pathways by 78.69%, while the energy transfer efficiency increased by 67.86%.

In addition, rice-fish systems can reduce methane emissions compared to rice monoculture. Rice paddyfields are agriculture's main contributors to greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, mainly because when flooded, as they often are on a regular cycle, they support methanogenic bacteria; overall, paddyfields contribute around 10% of the global greenhouse effect. Rice-fish systems may be able to contribute to global-scale reduction of methane emissions.

Fish-rice integration is exciting. You harvest both fishes and rice on the same land. Do you like it?

[protist-lover]

I just wish I was on a research team rn, like ahhh I just wanna study deep sea methanogens

Like I’m craving to have a deep understanding of their ecosystems and all aspects of their life, but alas I have yet to reach that point in my studies

[grunerrenewable01]

What Are the Main Biogas-Producing Microorganisms in the Process?

Introduction

Biogas production is a crucial process in waste management and renewable energy generation. It relies on a combination of microorganisms that break down organic matter through anaerobic digestion. In Bio Gas Generation from MSW (Municipal Solid Waste), various microbial communities work together to convert waste into methane-rich biogas, which can be used as a clean fuel alternative. Understanding these microorganisms and their roles can help optimize biogas yield and efficiency.

Stages of Biogas Production and Microbial Activity

Biogas production occurs in four main stages, each driven by specific microbial groups:

1. Hydrolysis – Breaking Down Complex Organic Matter

Hydrolytic bacteria initiate the process by breaking down complex organic materials like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids into simpler compounds.

Key microorganisms: Clostridium, Bacteroides, and Bacillus species.

Hydrolysis is essential because large organic molecules cannot be directly used by methanogenic bacteria.

2. Acidogenesis – Formation of Organic Acids

Acidogenic bacteria further process the broken-down compounds into volatile fatty acids, alcohols, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Key microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Lactobacillus species.

This stage produces essential precursors for the next step in methane formation.

3. Acetogenesis – Conversion of Acids to Acetate and Hydrogen

Acetogenic bacteria convert volatile fatty acids into acetic acid, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Key microorganisms: Syntrophobacter, Syntrophomonas, and Acetobacterium species.

Acetogenesis is crucial because methanogenic archaea rely on acetate and hydrogen to generate methane.

4. Methanogenesis – Methane Production

Methanogenic archaea use acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide to produce methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Key microorganisms: Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina, and Methanobrevibacter species.

This final stage determines the efficiency of Bio Gas Generation from MSW.

Optimizing Microbial Efficiency in Biogas Production

To maximize methane yield, conditions must support the microbial ecosystem:

Temperature Control: Most biogas-producing microbes thrive at 35-55°C (mesophilic or thermophilic conditions).

pH Balance: Maintaining a pH of 6.5-7.5 ensures microbial stability.

Retention Time: A well-regulated retention time (20-40 days) allows complete digestion of waste.

Challenges in Biogas Microbial Activity

Despite their efficiency, biogas-producing microorganisms face several challenges:

Toxic Inhibitors: High ammonia or heavy metal concentrations can inhibit microbial growth.

Feedstock Variability: MSW composition changes frequently, affecting microbial performance.

Process Imbalance: Excessive acid accumulation can lower pH, slowing methanogenesis.

Enhancing Bio Gas Generation from MSW

Co-digestion with agricultural waste improves microbial efficiency.

Microbial consortia enrichment ensures a balanced and stable digestion process.

Advanced bioreactors optimize microbial conditions and boost methane yield.

Conclusion

Biogas production from MSW depends on the coordinated action of hydrolytic, acidogenic, acetogenic, and methanogenic microorganisms. Each group plays a specific role in breaking down waste and converting it into valuable biogas. By optimizing microbial conditions, Bio Gas Generation from MSW can be made more efficient, sustainable, and commercially viable.

[evoet]

Biogas Power Generation: A Sustainable Energy Solution

Introduction

In the quest for renewable and sustainable energy sources, biogas power generation has emerged as a crucial alternative to fossil fuels. Biogas is a clean, renewable energy source produced from organic waste through anaerobic digestion. This article explores the process, benefits, applications, and future potential of biogas as a sustainable power generation method.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a mixture of gases, primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), generated from the decomposition of organic materials in an oxygen-free environment. Common feedstocks for biogas production include agricultural waste, manure, food scraps, sewage sludge, and industrial organic waste.

The Biogas Production Process

Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion, a biological process in which microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen. The process consists of four stages:

Hydrolysis: Complex organic compounds such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are broken down into simpler molecules.

Acidogenesis: Bacteria convert these molecules into organic acids and alcohols.

Acetogenesis: Further conversion of acids into acetic acid, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide occurs.

Methanogenesis: Methanogenic bacteria produce methane and carbon dioxide, resulting in biogas.

Benefits of Biogas Power Generation

Renewable and Sustainable: Biogas utilizes organic waste, making it a renewable and sustainable energy source.

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Capturing methane from waste prevents its release into the atmosphere, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste Management Solution: Biogas production helps manage organic waste efficiently, reducing landfill dependence and pollution.

Energy Independence: It provides an alternative to fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on non-renewable resources.

Economic Benefits: Farmers and industries can generate income by converting waste into biogas and selling excess energy.

Applications of Biogas Power

Electricity Generation: Biogas can be used in gas engines to generate electricity for homes, businesses, and industries.

Cooking and Heating: In rural and urban areas, biogas serves as a clean fuel for cooking and heating applications.

Vehicle Fuel: Purified biogas, known as biomethane, can be used as a substitute for natural gas in vehicles.

Industrial Use: Many industries use biogas for steam generation and heating purposes.

Future of Biogas Power Generation

With increasing global emphasis on sustainability, biogas is expected to play a key role in the renewable energy sector. Technological advancements in biogas purification and storage, along with supportive government policies, are driving its adoption worldwide. Investments in large-scale biogas plants and community-level digesters will further enhance energy access and environmental benefits.

Conclusion

Biogas power generation presents a viable, eco-friendly solution for meeting energy demands while reducing environmental impact. By harnessing organic waste, it contributes to sustainable development and a greener future. As innovations continue, biogas stands poised to revolutionize the renewable energy landscape, making it a cornerstone of global energy sustainability.

[imperialtommy]

Not only that, but one of the leading theories for how cell nuclei developed is that an archaeon (a methanogenic one, particularly) moved into a bacterium and took control of it (you know, like an archaeon piloting a bacterial mech). Also, chloroplasts are widely thought to have developed just like mitochondria when a eukaryote subsumed a cyanobacterium.

[solutionsforaquaculture]

How Anaerobic Water Treatment Reduces Pollution and Generates Renewable Energy

Anaerobic water treatment is a cutting-edge technology that plays a crucial role in reducing pollution while also producing renewable energy. This process uses microorganisms that thrive in oxygen-free environments to break down organic matter in wastewater. Unlike traditional aerobic treatments, which rely on oxygen to degrade contaminants, anaerobic processes offer significant environmental benefits, such as lower energy consumption and the production of biogas, a valuable renewable energy resource. Let’s explore how anaerobic water treatment reduces pollution and generates renewable energy.

1. Reduction of Organic Pollutants

The primary function of anaerobic water treatment is to remove organic pollutants from wastewater. Wastewater from industrial, agricultural, and municipal sources often contains high levels of organic matter, which, if untreated, can lead to severe pollution of water bodies and the environment. Anaerobic treatment addresses this problem effectively by breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler, less harmful substances.

The process begins with hydrolytic bacteria that break down large organic molecules (such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) into smaller, water-soluble molecules. These molecules are further processed by other bacteria, eventually leading to the production of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), which are the primary by-products of anaerobic digestion.

By converting organic pollutants into harmless by-products, anaerobic water treatment prevents the buildup of harmful substances in the environment, thus significantly reducing pollution.

2. Production of Biogas (Renewable Energy)

One of the standout features of anaerobic water treatment is its ability to generate biogas as a by-product. During the methanogenesis stage of anaerobic digestion, specialized bacteria (methanogens) break down organic compounds like acetic acid and hydrogen into methane and carbon dioxide. The methane produced can be captured and used as a renewable energy source.

Biogas has several applications in energy production:

Electricity Generation: Methane can be used to fuel gas engines or turbines to generate electricity. This makes anaerobic water treatment facilities energy self-sufficient or even energy-positive, meaning they produce more energy than they consume.

Heat Generation: Methane can also be burned to generate heat, which can be used for various purposes within the wastewater treatment plant or other industrial applications.

Fuel for Vehicles or Infrastructure: Biogas can be upgraded to biomethane, a high-purity form of methane that can be used as a replacement for natural gas in vehicles or fed into natural gas infrastructure.

Thus, through the capture and use of biogas, anaerobic treatment not only reduces pollution but also contributes to the production of renewable energy, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

3. Lower Carbon Footprint

Anaerobic treatment contributes to reducing the overall carbon footprint of wastewater management. Traditional aerobic wastewater treatment methods require significant amounts of electricity to aerate the water, which can lead to high greenhouse gas emissions, particularly when the electricity is generated from fossil fuels.

In contrast, anaerobic processes are energy-efficient. Since they do not require aeration, they consume much less energy than aerobic systems. Additionally, the methane produced during anaerobic treatment can replace fossil fuels, further reducing carbon emissions. By shifting from energy-intensive aerobic treatments to anaerobic systems, facilities can drastically lower their overall environmental impact, helping mitigate climate change.

4. Sludge Reduction and Efficient Wastewater Treatment

Anaerobic water treatment also results in the reduction of excess sludge, which is a major concern in traditional wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria involved in anaerobic digestion break down organic materials in the wastewater into methane, reducing the amount of solid waste (sludge) that needs to be disposed of.

This reduction in sludge not only minimizes disposal costs but also lessens the environmental impact associated with transporting and treating the waste. As a result, anaerobic treatment reduces the pollution associated with sludge handling, further improving its environmental benefits.

5. Removal of Nutrients and Reduction of Eutrophication Risk

Anaerobic treatment can also contribute to nutrient removal, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are common pollutants in wastewater. Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies can lead to eutrophication, a process that promotes the rapid growth of algae, depleting oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.

By effectively removing organic compounds, anaerobic systems can also help reduce the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in treated water, which in turn helps protect water quality and prevent eutrophication. This nutrient removal capability is especially valuable in treating agricultural runoff or wastewater from industries like food processing, where nutrient levels are typically high.

6. Sustainability and Circular Economy Benefits

Anaerobic water treatment aligns with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. It transforms organic waste into a valuable resource (biogas), reducing the need for external energy inputs and minimizing waste generation. Moreover, the process contributes to the reuse and recycling of resources, which is a key pillar of the circular economy model.

By treating wastewater efficiently and generating renewable energy in the process, anaerobic treatment offers a closed-loop solution that benefits both the environment and industry. Wastewater that would otherwise be a pollutant becomes a resource, contributing to the sustainability of water management systems.

7. Applications in Various Industries

Anaerobic water treatment is particularly effective for industries that generate high-strength wastewater with a large organic load, such as:

Food and Beverage Processing: Large volumes of organic waste are produced during the production of food and beverages, making anaerobic treatment an ideal solution for reducing pollution and generating biogas.

Dairy Industry: Dairy wastewater is rich in organic matter, and anaerobic treatment is particularly effective at breaking down fats and proteins.

Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals: Pharmaceutical manufacturing often generates complex organic compounds that can be treated efficiently through anaerobic processes.

Textile and Paper Mills: These industries often produce wastewater with high chemical oxygen demand (COD), which can be effectively treated by anaerobic systems.

For these industries, anaerobic water treatment not only reduces environmental pollution but also provides a means of generating renewable energy, contributing to both waste management and sustainability goals.

Conclusion

Anaerobic water treatment is a highly effective method for reducing pollution and generating renewable energy. By utilizing microorganisms to break down organic pollutants without oxygen, anaerobic systems treat wastewater in an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient manner. The production of biogas, a renewable energy source, significantly reduces the need for external energy inputs and helps mitigate climate change. Additionally, anaerobic treatment results in reduced sludge production, efficient nutrient removal, and overall lower carbon footprints, making it an ideal solution for industries and municipalities seeking to enhance sustainability. As the demand for more sustainable water treatment methods grows, anaerobic treatment is poised to play a key role in reducing pollution and fostering renewable energy generation.

[thespacewirednews]

Study suggests microbial life could exist beneath Mars' surface !

New research led by Andrea Butturini from the University of Barcelona suggests that microbial life could exist beneath Mars' surface. The study identifies Acidalia Planitia, a vast Martian plain, as a potential habitat for methanogens-microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions. Despite challenges in reaching these depths, the study raises hopes of discovering extraterrestrial life on Mars.

[feyosha]

Stay the FUCK out of the bog

Setting aside, for a moment, the Kelpies, the Will-O-The-Wisp, the Boggarts, the Redcaps, the Pixies, the Leprechauns, the Kappa, the Banshees, the Salamanders, the Witches, the Trolls, and the many many other folkloric beasties one might encounter in such a place

It is a Mouth Of The Earth

Mires, both Bog & Fen, are peat-accumulating environments. They’re carbon sinks. They’re the spots on the earth where the Carbon returns to the Stone. In most biomes, Dying is simply a temporary form of transformation. The deceased becoming food for other living things, predators and scavengers and detrivores, within short order, biomass reorganized and set about into motion again through the endless alchemy of metabolism. Nothing on Earth stays dead for long, if you remove Ego and Identity from your framework.

But not in Bogs

Bogs keep their Dead

The water, acidic and oxygen poor, rich in bitter tannins and dissolved minerals, but poor in essential nutrients, acts as a natural preservative, preventing the usual nutrient recycling and upcycling found from the jungles to the poles everywhere that life usually flourishes. Those that live in the Bog live the drama of their lives out on top of a gradually accumulating crust of rotting biomass that can get deep enough to swallow a man whole if he steps in the wrong spot. Say, a spot with poor structure, held aloft by a hidden bubble of toxic, flammable methane gas, liberated from rotting carcasses below by methanogenic archaea.

The Bog will LITERALLY consume you

Stay the FUCK out of the Bog!

[sunaleisocial]

A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/a-new-catalyst-can-turn-methane-into-something-useful/

A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful

Although it is less abundant than carbon dioxide, methane gas contributes disproportionately to global warming because it traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, due to its molecular structure.

MIT chemical engineers have now designed a new catalyst that can convert methane into useful polymers, which could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“What to do with methane has been a longstanding problem,” says Michael Strano, the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and the senior author of the study. “It’s a source of carbon, and we want to keep it out of the atmosphere but also turn it into something useful.”

The new catalyst works at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, which could make it easier and more economical to deploy at sites of methane production, such as power plants and cattle barns.

Daniel Lundberg PhD ’24 and MIT postdoc Jimin Kim are the lead authors of the study, which appears today in Nature Catalysis. Former postdoc Yu-Ming Tu and postdoc Cody Ritt also authors of the paper.

Capturing methane

Methane is produced by bacteria known as methanogens, which are often highly concentrated in landfills, swamps, and other sites of decaying biomass. Agriculture is a major source of methane, and methane gas is also generated as a byproduct of transporting, storing, and burning natural gas. Overall, it is believed to account for about 15 percent of global temperature increases.

At the molecular level, methane is made of a single carbon atom bound to four hydrogen atoms. In theory, this molecule should be a good building block for making useful products such as polymers. However, converting methane to other compounds has proven difficult because getting it to react with other molecules usually requires high temperature and high pressures.

To achieve methane conversion without that input of energy, the MIT team designed a hybrid catalyst with two components: a zeolite and a naturally occurring enzyme. Zeolites are abundant, inexpensive clay-like minerals, and previous work has found that they can be used to catalyze the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide.

In this study, the researchers used a zeolite called iron-modified aluminum silicate, paired with an enzyme called alcohol oxidase. Bacteria, fungi, and plants use this enzyme to oxidize alcohols.

This hybrid catalyst performs a two-step reaction in which zeolite converts methane to methanol, and then the enzyme converts methanol to formaldehyde. That reaction also generates hydrogen peroxide, which is fed back into the zeolite to provide a source of oxygen for the conversion of methane to methanol.

This series of reactions can occur at room temperature and doesn’t require high pressure. The catalyst particles are suspended in water, which can absorb methane from the surrounding air. For future applications, the researchers envision that it could be painted onto surfaces.

“Other systems operate at high temperature and high pressure, and they use hydrogen peroxide, which is an expensive chemical, to drive the methane oxidation. But our enzyme produces hydrogen peroxide from oxygen, so I think our system could be very cost-effective and scalable,” Kim says.

Creating a system that incorporates both enzymes and artificial catalysts is a “smart strategy,” says Damien Debecker, a professor at the Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences at the University of Louvain, Belgium.

“Combining these two families of catalysts is challenging, as they tend to operate in rather distinct operation conditions. By unlocking this constraint and mastering the art of chemo-enzymatic cooperation, hybrid catalysis becomes key-enabling: It opens new perspectives to run complex reaction systems in an intensified way,” says Debecker, who was not involved in the research.

Building polymers

Once formaldehyde is produced, the researchers showed they could use that molecule to generate polymers by adding urea, a nitrogen-containing molecule found in urine. This resin-like polymer, known as urea-formaldehyde, is now used in particle board, textiles and other products.

The researchers envision that this catalyst could be incorporated into pipes used to transport natural gas. Within those pipes, the catalyst could generate a polymer that could act as a sealant to heal cracks in the pipes, which are a common source of methane leakage. The catalyst could also be applied as a film to coat surfaces that are exposed to methane gas, producing polymers that could be collected for use in manufacturing, the researchers say.

Strano’s lab is now working on catalysts that could be used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and combine it with nitrate to produce urea. That urea could then be mixed with the formaldehyde produced by the zeolite-enzyme catalyst to produce urea-formaldehyde.

The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.