Methanogenesis in oxygenated soils is a substantial fraction of wetland methane emissions

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01753-4
• Publication Date: 2017-11-13T03:42:11Z
• Authors: Jordan C. Angle; Timothy H. Morin; Lindsey M. Solden; Adrienne B. Narrowe; Garrett J. Smith; Mikayla A. Borton; Camilo Rey-Sanchez; Rebecca A. Daly; Golnazalsdat Mirf...; David W. Hoyt; William J. Riley; Christopher S. Mi...; Gil Bohrer; Kelly C. Wrighton
• Keywords: Methanogen; Biogeochemical Cycle

Abstract The current paradigm, widely incorporated in soil biogeochemical models, is that microbial methanogenesis can only occur anoxic habitats. In contrast, here we show clear geochemical and biological evidence for methane production well-oxygenated soils of a freshwater wetland. A comparison oxic to reveal up ten times greater nine more activity oxygenated soils. Metagenomic metatranscriptomic sequencing recover the first near-complete genomes novel methanogen species, acetoclastic from this organism was dominant pathway This organism, Candidatus Methanothrix paradoxum, prevalent across emitting ecosystems, suggesting global significance. Moreover, wetland, estimate 80% fluxes could be attributed Together, our findings challenge held assumption about methanogenesis, with significant ramifications estimates Earth system modeling.