Inhibition of methanogenesis by sulphate reducing bacteria competing for transferred hydrogen

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Abstract
A methanogenic bacterial consortium was obtained after inoculation of benzoate medium under N2/CO2 atmosphere with intertidal sediment. A hydrogen donating organotroph andMethanococcus mazei were isolated from this enrichment. H2-utilising sulphate reducing bacteria were isolated under H2/CO2 in the absence of organic electron donors. TheMethanococcus was able to produce methane in yeast extract medium under N2/CO2 if the H2 donating organism was present, and sulphate reduction occurred if the hydrogen utilising sulphate reducing bacteria were grown with the H2 donating organism. The ability of the H2 utilising sulphate reducing bacteria to inhibitMethanococcus competitively was shown in cultures containing both of these H2 utilising bacteria.