Metal-Driven Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane as an Important Methane Sink in Methanic Cold Seep Sediments.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled with reduction of metal oxides is supposed to be a globally important bioprocess in marine sediments. However, the responsible microorganisms and their contributions to methane budget are not clear in deep sea cold seep sediments. Here, we combined geochemistry, muti-omics, and numerical modeling to study metal-dependent AOM in methanic cold seep sediments in the northern continental slope of the South China Sea. Geochemical data based on methane concentrations, carbon stable isotope, solid-phase sediment analysis, and pore water measurements indicate the occurrence of anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to metal oxides reduction in the methanic zone. The 16S rRNA gene and transcript amplicons, along with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data suggest that diverse anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) groups actively mediated methane oxidation in the methanic zone either independently or in syntrophy with, e.g., ETH-SRB1, as potential metal reducers. Modeling results suggest that the estimated rates of methane consumption via Fe-AOM and Mn-AOM were both 0.3 µmol cm-2 year-1, which account for ~3% of total CH4 removal in sediments. Overall, our results highlight metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane as an important methane sink in methanic cold seep sediments. IMPORTANCE Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled with reduction of metal oxides is supposed to be a globally important bioprocess in marine sediments. However, the responsible microorganisms and their contributions to methane budget are not clear in deep sea cold seep sediments. Our findings provide a comprehensive view of metal-dependent AOM in the methanic cold seep sediments and uncovered the potential mechanisms for involved microorganisms. High amounts of buried reactive Fe(III)/Mn(IV) minerals could be an important available electron acceptors for AOM. It is estimated that metal-AOM at least contributes 3% of total methane consumption from methanic sediments to the seep. Therefore, this research paper advances our understanding of the role of metal reduction to the global carbon cycle, especially the methane sink.

Corrigendum: Active Anaerobic Archaeal Methanotrophs in Recently Emerged Cold Seeps of Northern South China Sea.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.612135.].

Active Anaerobic Archaeal Methanotrophs in Recently Emerged Cold Seeps of Northern South China Sea.

Cold seep ecosystems are developed from methane-rich fluids in organic rich continental slopes, which are the source of various dense microbial and faunal populations. Extensive studies have been conducted on microbial populations in this unique environment; most of them were based on DNA, which could not resolve the activity of extant organisms. In this study, RNA and DNA analyses were performed to evaluate the active archaeal and bacterial communities and their network correlations, particularly those participating in the methane cycle at three sites of newly developed cold seeps in the northern South China Sea (nSCS). The results showed that both archaeal and bacterial communities were significantly different at the RNA and DNA levels, revealing a higher abundance of methane-metabolizing archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria in RNA sequencing libraries. Site ROV07-01, which exhibited extensive accumulation of deceased Calyptogena clam shells, was highly developed, and showed diverse and active anaerobic archaeal methanotrophs (ANME)-2a/b and sulfate-reducing bacteria from RNA libraries. Site ROV07-02, located near carbonate crusts with few clam shell debris, appeared to be poorly developed, less anaerobic and less active. Site ROV05-02, colonized by living Calyptogena clams, could likely be intermediary between ROV07-01 and ROV07-02, showing abundant ANME-2dI and sulfate-reducing bacteria in RNA libraries. The high-proportions of ANME-2dI, with respect to ANME-2dII in the site ROV07-01 was the first report from nSCS, which could be associated with recently developed cold seeps. Both ANME-2dI and ANME-2a/b showed close networked relationships with sulfate-reducing bacteria; however, they were not associated with the same microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Based on the geochemical gradients and the megafaunal settlements as well as the niche specificities and syntrophic relationships, ANMEs appeared to change in community structure with the evolution of cold seeps, which may be associated with the heterogeneity of their geochemical processes. This study enriched our understanding of more active sulfate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in poorly developed and active cold seep sediments by contrasting DNA- and RNA-derived community structure and activity indicators.

[Optoelectronic PCB Wastewater Treatment by Partial Nitrification-ANAMMOX Integrative Reactor].

The feasibility and operating characteristics of treatment of printed circuit board (PCB) wastewater by using autotrophic nitrogen removal process in partial nitrification and ANAMMOX integrative reactor were investigated. The reactor had startup successfully and achieved the stable nitrogen removal efficiency. The results showed that, after 80d operation, the nitrogen removal rate increased and was up to 1. 29 kg . (m3 . d)-1, the effluent NH4+-N and NO2- -N were decreased and stabilized at 4. 0 mg . L -1, 9. 8 mg . L-1 respectively, when the influent concentration of NH4+-N maintained at 220 mg . L -1. At the same time, the concentration of total nitrogen was less than 50 mg . L-1 in effluent, which meet the quality emissions requirements. The NO2- -N production rate was up to 2. 05 kg . (m3 . d)-1 by nitrite bacteria in aerobic zone, and the highest nitrogen removal rate was 2. 91 kg . (m3 . d) -1 by ANAMMOX. bacteria in anaerobic zone, which illuminated functional bacteria were steadily grown in the corresponding region. The inorganic ammmonia in PCB wastewater could be removed by autotrophic nitrogen removal process in nitrification and ANAMMOX integrative reactor.

[Effect of gas-lift device on nitrogen removal efficiency of ANAMMOX reactor ].

The effect of air-lift device on the nitrogen removal efficiency of ANAMMOX reactor was studied by increasing the substrate concentration to improve nitrogen load rate and inoculate ANAMMOX sludge. The results showed that the effluent recirculation was achieved by using nitrogen gas produced from the ANAMMOX process as power in the air-lift room. With the increase of nitrogen removal rate, the rate of effluent recirculation was increased, which diluted influent substrate concentration and alleviated the inhibition of ANAMMOX bacteria,. After 183 d operation, the effluent NH4+ -N and NO2- -N concentrations were increased to 46. 3 mg L-1 and 53.21 mg.L-1, and the nitrogen removal rate was kept stable at 28.3 kg (m3.d)-1, when the influent NH4+ -N and NO2- -N concentrations were increased to 700 mg.L-1 and 840 mgL-1, respectively. The effluent recirculation system formed by gas-lift devices is an economic and effective solution to the inhibition caused by high substrate concentration in traditional reactor, meanwhile, the power consumption of the external reflux pump was reduced.

[Effect of gas-lift device on the morphology and performance of ANAMMOX sludge].

The upflow reactor with gas-lift device was started up by inoculating ANAMMOX sludge granules of less than 0.9 mm. The effects of gas lift device system on the morphology and performance of ANAMMOX sludge were studied by using the nitrogen gas produced in ANAMMOX to drive the effluent circulation in the reactor. The results showed that, the airlift circulation function was not clear in the startup stage of the reactor, because the nitrogen gas production was very low. At the same time, the ANAMMOX granular sludge was easy to condensate. When the load rate of nitrogen removal reached 3.4 kg x (m3 x d)(-1), the function of gas lift was significant, resulting in gradually increased effluent self-circulation, and the granules were dispersed and grew gradually. After 183d of operation, the granular sludge was dominated by the granules with sizes of 1.6-2.5 mm, which accounted for 53.2% of the total sludge volume. The MLVSS content increased with the increase of sludge particle size. The gas lift device had the same function as the external reflux pump, and was helpful for sludge granulation in the ANAMMOX reactor, while reducing power consumption and the cost of the equipment.