Expanding Characterized Diversity and the Pool of Complete Genome Sequences of Methylococcus Species, the Bacteria of High Environmental and Biotechnological Relevance

The bacterial genus Methylococcus, which comprises aerobic thermotolerant methanotrophic cocci, was described half-a-century ago. Over the years, a member of this genus, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, has become a major model organism to study genomic and metabolic basis of obligate methanotrophy. High biotechnological potential of fast-growing Methylococcus species, mainly as a promising source of feed protein, has also been recognized. Despite this big research attention, the currently cultured Methylococcus diversity is represented by members of the two species, M. capsulatus and M. geothermalis, while finished genome sequences are available only for two strains of these methanotrophs. This study extends the pool of phenotypically characterized Methylococcus strains with good-quality genome sequences by contributing four novel isolates of these bacteria from activated sludge, landfill cover soil, and freshwater sediments. The determined genome sizes of novel isolates varied between 3.2 and 4.0Mb. As revealed by the phylogenomic analysis, strains IO1, BH, and KN2 affiliate with M. capsulatus, while strain Mc7 may potentially represent a novel species. Highest temperature optima (45–50°C) and highest growth rates in bioreactor cultures (up to 0.3h−1) were recorded for strains obtained from activated sludge. The comparative analysis of all complete genomes of Methylococcus species revealed 4,485 gene clusters. Of these, pan-genome core comprised 2,331 genes (on average 51.9% of each genome), with the accessory genome containing 846 and 1,308 genes in the shell and the cloud, respectively. Independently of the isolation source, all strains of M. capsulatus displayed surprisingly high genome synteny and a striking similarity in gene content. Strain Mc7 from a landfill cover soil differed from other isolates by the high content of mobile genetic elements in the genome and a number of genome-encoded features missing in M. capsulatus, such as sucrose biosynthesis and the ability to scavenge phosphorus and sulfur from the environment.

Methane Oxidation Biosystem In Landfill Fugitive Emissions Using Conventional Cover Soil And Compost As Alternative Substrate – A Field Study

Landfill is an important anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Aiming at methane mitigation through the use of a cover layer in the form of fugitive emissions, this study investigated the methane passive bioxidation in a Brazilian landfill in biofilters under two conditions: control column (packing material using a 60 cm landfill cover soil with ≅0.8% organic matter) and enriched column (packing material using 45 cm landfill cover soil and 15 cm mixture of cover soil plus compost with ≅6% organic matter). The biogas was collected from a vertical drain pipe of a four-year-old cell and injected into the base of the columns with a high inlet loading (1000 g CH4 .m - ².d - ¹ at standard temperature and pressure conditions) in the upward flow mode. Ten campaigns were carried out for six months in order to determine the efficiency of the methane oxidation in each column. Parameters related to the biogas oxidation were also determined, such as soil temperature and moisture content and nutrients content in both filter beds. The oxidation global efficiencies were higher in the enriched column throughout all campaigns, with »71 and »95% for the control and enriched columns, respectively. Our study demonstrated that the use of substrates with high organic matter content and low cost (such as the compost) in landfill cover layers might present high efficacy in the reduction of methane fugitive emissions. Landfill is an important anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Aiming at methane mitigation through the use of a cover layer in the form of fugitive emissions, this study investigated the methane passive bio-oxidation in a Brazilian landfill in biofilters under two conditions: control column (packing material using only landfill cover soil with ≅0.8% organic matter) and enriched column (packing material using 45 cm landfill cover soil and 15 cm mixture of cover soil plus compost with ≅6% organic matter). Biogas was collected from a vertical drain pipe of a four-year-old cell and injected into the base of the columns with a high inlet loading (1000 gCH4.m-².d-¹) in upward flow mode. Ten campaigns were carried out for six months in order to determine the efficiency of the methane oxidation in each column. Soil temperature, moisture and nutrients content in both filter beds were also determined. The oxidation global efficiencies were higher in the enriched column throughout all campaigns, with »71 and »95% for the control and enriched columns, respectively, demonstrating that this technology can be applied even in landfills where there is no energy recovery from biogas (as in most landfills in developing countries). Our study demonstrated that the use of substrates with high organic matter content and low cost in landfill cover layers might present high efficacy in the reduction of methane fugitive emissions. Even operating in field-scale conditions, the results of this study were comparable to those obtained with biofilters on lab-scale (under controlled operational conditions).

Cattle Grazing Exclusion Increases Basal, Crown and Mulch Cover in the Sierra de Órganos National Park, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico

Objective: To estimate the effects of cattle grazing exclusion on soil and vegetation conditions in grasslands of Sierra de Órganos National Park (SONP), Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Four transects with cattle grazing exclusion were strategically established in SONP grasslands. In each transect the basal, crown and organic mulch cover, soil cover, bare soil, and the form of the autumn plant were measured from 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Results: Cattle grazing exclusion caused an increase in basal, crown and organic mulch cover, soil cover, as well as over- rested plants and deteriorated plants; bare soil cover and the percentage of normal plants decreased. Study Limitations/Implications: Increase of organic mulch cover implies the accumulation of combustible material that represents a potential risk of fire occurring in the SONP. Findings/Conclusions: Increase of organic mulch, over-rested plants and deteriorated plants shows that SONP grasslandsare transiting to a less stable ecological state.