Carbon isotopic fractionation in Methanosarcina barkeri and the study of anaerobic microbial communities of saline springs in West Central Manitoba

Stable carbon isotope fractionation during methanogenesis is affected by the availability of substrates. The effects of different substrates on methanogen biomass, total lipid extract, biomarkers and methane under both abundant and limiting substrate conditions were studied. Methanosarcina barkeri was grown with methanol, acetate, trimethylamine (TMA) and H2/CO2, and carbon isotope fractionation in methane production was greatest with methanol, followed by H2/CO2 , TMA and acetate. In contrast, biomass was isotopically lightest in M. barkeri grown on methanol, followed by TMA, H2/CO 2 and acetate. Generally, fractionation was greater in cultures grown with abundant substrate availability as compared to those supplied with limiting substrate. During autotrophic growth, fractionation was greatest during slower growth for both methane and biomass production. The results of these fractionation studies under controlled laboratory conditions can be applied to the interpretation of isotopic signatures for methane and methanogen biomarkers, and ecological processes, in marine environments. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...