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Fluxes of redox equivalents in metabolic networks at active zones in aquifers

FOR 580 RIC

Von 02/2006

Projektleiter: Hans H. Richnow, Matthias Kästner
Bewilligung: FOR 580 Electron Transfer Processes in Anoxic Aquifers

In the first phase of the joint research unit, we provide evidence that the spatial and temporal distribution of methane and sulphur compounds mediated electron transfer reactions over distance in contaminated aquifers. This implies the linkage of carbon and sulphur cycles in aquifers with respect to electron flow mediated by chemolithoautotrophic communities. Reduced products from electron transfer reactions, such as S2- , and CH4 supported chemolithoautotrophic and heterotrophic microbial processes as electron donors, thus linking the nitrogen, iron, sulphur and carbon cycles in aquifers. In addition, we provided evidence for anaerobic methane oxidation in anoxic aquifers. Therefore, the question arises to which terminal electron acceptor the anaerobic methane oxidation in aquifer systems is involved. In the second phase we thus propose to elucidate activity, functionality and composition of methane oxidising microbial communities in aquifers potenially using sulphate, Fe(III) or nitrate a electron acceptor. If anaerobic methane oxidation actually occurs in the aquifer, we can also expect anaerobic sulfide oxidation and we thus propose also to study the sulphur cycle at a laboratory and field scale with respect to sulphur disproportionation reaction and anaerobic oxidation of sulphides in order to elucidate activity, functionality and composition of microbial communities.

Letzte Änderung 08.06.2009