Methanogenesis—General Principles and Application in Wastewater Remediation

Ana-Katarina Marić, Martina Sudar, Zvjezdana Findrik Blažević () and Marija Vuković Domanovac ()
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Ana-Katarina Marić: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Martina Sudar: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Zvjezdana Findrik Blažević: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Vuković Domanovac: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Trg Marka Marulića 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: The first discovery of methanogens led to the formation of a new domain of life known as Archaea. The Archaea domain exhibits properties vastly different from previously known Bacteria and Eucarya domains. However, for a certain multi-step process, a syntrophic relationship between organisms from all domains is needed. This process is called methanogenesis and is defined as the biological production of methane. Different methanogenic pathways prevail depending on substrate availability and the employed order of methanogenic Archaea. Most methanogens reduce carbon dioxide to methane with hydrogen through a hydrogenotrophic pathway. For hydrogen activation, a group of enzymes called hydrogenases is required. Regardless of the methanogenic pathway, electrons are carried between microorganisms by hydrogen. Naturally occurring processes, such as methanogenesis, can be engineered for industrial use. With the growth and emergence of new industries, the amount of produced industrial waste is an ever-growing environmental problem. For successful wastewater remediation, a syntrophic correlation between various microorganisms is needed. The composition of microorganisms depends on wastewater type, organic loading rates, anaerobic reactor design, pH, and temperature. The last step of anaerobic wastewater treatment is production of biomethane by methanogenesis, which is thought to be a cost-effective means of energy production for this renewable biogas.

Keywords: methanogenesis; methanogens; hydrogenase; wastewater remediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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