Characterization of methanotrophic communities in soils from regions with different environmental settings

Abstract

Methanotrophic communities from freshwater wetland (FW), seawater wetland (SW), forest (FS), and landfill soils (LS) around Seoul of South Korea, were characterized using comparative sequence analyses of clone libraries. Proportions of Methylocaldum, Methlyococcus and Methylosinus were found to be greater in FW and SW, while Methylobacter and Methylomonas were more notable in FS and Methylocystis and Methylomicrobium more prominent in LS. Lag periods behind the initiation of methane oxidation significantly varied amongst the soils. Methane oxidation rates were greater in FW≥LS≥SW>FS (p<0.05). Thus, the environmental setting is a significant factor influencing the communities and capabilities of methanotrophs. © The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology.