Knowra Methanogenesis Methanogenesis Methanogenesis is the biological production of methane by certain archaea. It uses substrates such as carbon dioxide, acetate, and methylated compounds, often in oxygen-free environments.
Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis : A methanogenic pathway that reduces carbon dioxide to methane using hydrogen as an electron donor. This route pairs carbon dioxide reduction with hydrogen oxidation.
Methanogens : Archaea that produce methane as part of their energy metabolism. They are the organisms that carry out methanogenesis.
Methane : The simplest alkane, with one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. It is the product of methanogenesis and a potent greenhouse gas.
Methane cycle : The movement and transformation of methane among geological, biological, and atmospheric reservoirs. Methanogenesis is the biological production side of this cycle.
Acetogenesis : The microbial production of acetate, commonly from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. It competes with some methanogens for the same substrates in oxygen-free environments.
Acetoclastic methanogenesis : A methanogenic pathway that splits acetate into methane and carbon dioxide. This route produces methane directly from acetate.
Archaea : A domain of single-celled organisms distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes. Methanogens belong to this domain, not to the bacteria.
Anaerobic digestion : Microbial decomposition of organic matter without oxygen, often producing biogas. Methanogenesis forms the methane-rich biogas in the final stage of digestion.
Carbon cycle : The movement of carbon among organisms, air, water, soil, and rocks. Methanogenesis converts organic or inorganic carbon into methane.
Sulfate reduction : Microbial respiration that uses sulfate as an electron acceptor and produces sulfide. Sulfate reducers can outcompete methanogens for hydrogen and acetate.
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