Molecular basis for the biodegradative recalcitrance of lignin in anaerobic environments

Zeikus, J. G.

doi:10.1016/0378-1097(82)90053-2

Cited by 15 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Early work suggested that recalcitrant OC was not degradable under anaerobic conditions [Zeikus et al, 1982], but more recent research [Benner et al, 1984] has demonstrated that some more complex compounds can be degraded to methane under anoxic conditions. Indeed, 5 -10% of cellulose is degraded anaerobically in soils and sediments [Leschine, 1995].…”

Section: Quality Of Socmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subglacial methanogenesis: A potential climatic amplifier?

Wadham

Tranter

Tulaczyk

et al. 2008

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

114

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[1] Subglacial environments are a previously neglected component of the Earth's global carbon cycle, a reflection of the view held until recently that they are dominated by abiotic and oxic conditions. Here we provide a realistic assessment of the theory that the basal regions of the ice sheets that formed over North America and Europe during glaciations were host to significant populations of anaerobic microorganisms, including methanogens, able to metabolize organic carbon sequestered during interglacials and overridden during Quaternary glacials. In doing so, we review the current evidence for subglacial methane release during deglaciation, estimate the size of the subglacial reservoir of organic carbon (SOC), and assess the amount of SOC available to subglacial microbes and the likely pathways and rates of carbon turnover. We then discuss the fate of subglacial methane and the potential impact of its release on atmospheric methane concentrations. We calculate that the SOC equates to 418-610 Pg C and includes carbon from terrestrial soils/vegetation, peatlands, lake, and marine sediments. The SOC that is potentially available for microbial conversion to methane is smaller than this estimate due to (1) glacial erosion, (2) accumulation of recalcitrant organic carbon compounds over time, (3) conversion to carbon dioxide by aerobic/anaerobic respiration, and (4) incomplete conversion of labile organic matter to methane. We estimate that the total SOC available for conversion to methane is 63 Pg C. Our estimates of methane production potentials span a wide range because of the current uncertainty surrounding subglacial metabolic rates. We believe, however, that there is a strong likelihood that subglacial microbes could convert 63 Pg of SOC to methane during a glacial cycle. If this were the case, release of this methane from the ice sheet margins during retreat would need to be episodic in order to significantly impact atmospheric methane concentrations. Our findings suggest that it may well be important to consider subglacial environments as active components of the Earth's carbon cycle. Conclusive determination of the potential impact of subglacial methane production on atmospheric methane concentrations during deglaciation, however, awaits more precise determination of the ability of subglacial microbes to degrade organic carbon components and their associated rates of metabolism under in situ conditions.

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Section: Quality Of Socmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subglacial methanogenesis: A potential climatic amplifier?

Wadham

Tranter

Tulaczyk

et al. 2008

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

114

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“…Therefore, anaerobic degradation of mangrove detritus is likely to be an important pathway of carbon flow in mangrove ecosystems. Until recently, lignin was believed to be totally inert to anaerobic biodegradation (Hackett et al 1977, Zeikus et al 1982. However, Benner et al (198413) reported low, but significant, rates of anaerobic biodegradation of synthetic [14C]lignin and [14C-lignin]lignocelluloses from several aquatic plants in anoxic marine and freshwater sediments.…”

Section: Hodson Unpubl)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial degradation of the leachable and lignocellulosic components of leaves and wood from Rhizophora mangle in a tropical mangrove swamp

Benner¹,

Hodson²

1985

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

129

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“…The establishment of microbial cultures capable of anaerobic degradation may facilitate alternative use of a variety of aromaticcontaining industrial wastes, lignin-containing agricultural wastes and photosynthetically-produced biomass. Possible applications of anaerobic aromatic decomposition include the production of aromatic chemicals (Kaiser & Hanselmann 1982b), ligno-chemicals (Hanselmann 1982 and fuels (Zeikus 1980). An understanding of the microbiology of such fermentations would lead to the possibility of increased substrate utilization, increased rates of substrate conversion and g reater end-product formation through strain selection, genetic manipulation and alteration of fermentation parameters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An understanding of the microbiology of the anaerobic degradation of simple aromatics and of the biochemical mechanisms involved may allow the development of bacterial cultures capable of improved, if not complete, anaerobic digestion of plant lignocellulosic fractions without the need for expensive pretreatment. Recent reports provide evidence that low molecular weight lignin fractions, resulting from chemical treatment of lignin, may be susceptible to anaerobic degradation (Colberg & Young 1982;Zeikus et al 1982). Biological degradation of the lignin molecule has been reported to occur in the gastro-intestinal tract of higher termites (Butler & Buckerfield 1979).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

1984

Journal of Applied Bacteriology

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Molecular basis for the biodegradative recalcitrance of lignin in anaerobic environments

Cited by 15 publications

References 13 publications

Subglacial methanogenesis: A potential climatic amplifier?

Subglacial methanogenesis: A potential climatic amplifier?

Microbial degradation of the leachable and lignocellulosic components of leaves and wood from Rhizophora mangle in a tropical mangrove swamp

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