| Abstract: | Trace levels of ethane were produced biologically in anoxic sediment slurries from five chemically different aquatic environments. Gases from these locations displayed biogenic characteristics, having 12C-enriched values of ??13CH4 (-62 to -86%.), ??13C2H6 (-35 to -55%.) and high ratios (720 to 140,000) of CH4 [C2H6 + C3H8]. Endogenous production of ethane by slurries was inhibited by autoclaving or by addition of the inhibitor of methanogenic bacteria, 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES). Ethane formation was stimulated markedly by ethanethiol (ESH), and, to a lesser extent, by diethylsulfide (DES). Formation of methane and ethane in ESH- or DES-amended slurries was blocked by BES. Experiments showed that ethionine (or an analogous compound) could be a precursor of ESH. Ethylamine or ethanol additions to slurries caused only a minor stimulation of ethane formation. Similarly, propanethiol additions resulted in only a minor enhancement of propane formation. Cell suspensions of a methyltrophic methanogen produced traces of ethane when incubated in the presence of DES, although the organism did not grow on this compound. These results indicate that methanogenic bacteria produce ethane from the traces of ethylated sulfur compounds present in recent sediments. Preliminary estimates of stable carbon isotope fractionation associated with sediment methane formation from dimethylsulfide was about 40%., while ethane formation from DES and ESH was only 4. 6 and 6.5%., respectively. ?? 1988. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70013658 |
| Citation Author: | Oremland, R. S.; Whiticar, M. J.; Strohmaier, F. E.; Kiene, R. P. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1904 |
| Citation Issue: | 7 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 10 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Bacterial ethane formation from reduced, ethylated sulfur compounds in anoxic sediments; 1988; Article; Journal; Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; Oremland, R. S.; Whiticar, M. J.; Strohmaier, F. E.; Kiene, R. P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1895 |
| Citation Volume: | 52 |
| Citation Year: | 1988 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Bacterial ethane formation from reduced, ethylated sulfur compounds in anoxic sediments; 1988; Article; Journal; Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; Oremland, R. S.; Whiticar, M. J.; Strohmaier, F. E.; Kiene, R. P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 1988 00:00 -0600 |
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