Methanotrophs, cells that consume methane (CH4) as their sole source of carbon and energy, play key roles in the global carbon cycle, including controlling anthropogenic and natural emissions of CH4, the second-most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. These cells have also been widely used for bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, and help sustain diverse microbial communities as well as higher organisms through the conversion of CH4 to complex organic compounds (e.g. in deep ocean and subterranean environments with substantial CH4 fluxes). It has been well-known for over 30 years that copper (Cu) plays a key role in the physiology and activity of methanotrophs, but it is only recently that we have begun to understand how these cells collect Cu, the role Cu plays in CH4 oxidation by the particulate CH4 monooxygenase, the effect of Cu on the proteome, and how Cu affects the ability of methanotrophs to oxidize different substrates. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge of the phylogeny, environmental distribution, and potential applications of methanotrophs for regional and global issues, as well as the role of Cu in regulating gene expression and proteome in these cells, its effects on enzymatic and whole-cell activity, and the novel Cu uptake system used by methanotrophs.

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/79061/j.1574-6976.2010.00212.x.pdf;sequence=1

Methanotrophs and copper

https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/41695/Reprints/Scheutz_2009_409-455..pdf

Microbial methane oxidation processes and technologies for mitigation of landfill gas emissions.

Methane mass balance at three landfill sites: what is the efficiency of capture by gas collection systems?

Microbial oxidation of CH4 at different temperatures in landfill cover soils

The influence of different environmental factors on methane oxidation and degradation of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was investigated in microcosms containing soil sampled at Skellingsted Landfill, Denmark. The soil showed a high capacity for methane oxidation resulting in a maximum oxidation rate of 104 microg CH4 g(-1) h(-1) and a low affinity of methane with a half-saturation constant of 2.0% v/v. The hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFC-21 (dichlorofluoromethane) and HCFC-22 (chlorodifluoromethane) were rapidly oxidized and the oxidation occurred in parallel with the oxidation of methane. The maximal HCFC oxidation rates were 0.95 and 0.68 microg g(-1) h(-1) for HCFC-21 and HCFC-22, respectively. Increasing concentrations of HCFCs resulted in decreased methane oxidation rates. However, compared with typical concentrations in landfill gas, relatively high HCFC concentrations were needed to obtain a significant inhibition of methane oxidation. In general, the environmental factors studied influenced the degradation of HCFCs in almost the same way as they influenced methane oxidation. Temperature had a strong influence on the methanotrophic activity giving high Q10 values of 3.4 to 4.1 over the temperature range of 2 to 25 degrees C. Temperature optimum was around 30 degrees C; however, oxidation occurred at temperatures as low as 2 degrees C. A moisture content of 25% w/w yielded the maximum oxidation rate as it allowed good gas transport together with sufficient microbial activity. The optimum pH was around neutrality (pH = 6.5-7.5) showing that the methanotrophs were optimally adapted to the in situ pH, which was 6.9. Copper showed no inhibitory effect when added in relatively high concentrations (up to 60 mg kg(-1)), most likely due to sorption of copper ions to soil particles. At higher copper concentrations the oxidation rates decreased. The oxidation rates for methane, HCFC-21, and HCFC-22 were unaltered in ammonium-amended soil up to 14 mg kg(-1). Higher ammonium concentrations inhibited the oxidation process. The most important parameters controlling oxidation in landfill cover soil were found to be temperature, soil moisture, and methane and oxygen supply.

/pdf/environmental-factors-influencing-attenuation-of-methane-and-4crrm3qaan.pdf

Environmental factors influencing attenuation of methane and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in landfill cover soils.

Soil exposed to elevated methane concentrations can develop a high capacity for methane oxidation. Methane oxidation at high and low methane concentrations is performed by different types of methanotrops and therefore oxidation rates found at low temperatures at the atmospheric methane content cannot be extrapolated to soils exposed to high methane concentrations. Four sandy soils with different organic matter content (1-9% w/w) from two landfills in Denmark were investigated in batch experiments in the laboratory to determine the response of methane oxidation at low temperatures and different soil moisture regimes. At 2°C the methane oxidation rates were 0.005 to 0.17 μmol g -1 h -1 , and calculations showed that it was possible to oxidize all the produced methane at older landfills, even during the winter. Therefore, methane oxidation in top covers of landfills is an alternative to gas recovery at smaller and older landfills in northern Europe. Equations have been developed that describe the dependency of temperature and soil moisture content for each soil. The oxidation rates depended significantly on the soils (and thereby organic matter content), temperature, and soil moisture content. Soil moisture was the most important factor. However, high Q 10 values indicate that temperature also was important. The four soils tested had optimum soil moisture content between 11 and 32%. At increasing organic matter content, both the optimal soil moisture content and the maximum oxidation rate increased.

Lisbet Linderød

Papers

Methane oxidation at low temperatures in soil exposed to landfill gas