Effect of trace elements on the development of co-cultured nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation and methanogenic bacteria consortium

The aim of this work was to study the effects of key trace elements (i.e., iron, copper and molybdenum) on the development of co-cultured n-damo and methanogenic bacteria consortium, which could realize in situ CH4 production and utilization. The results showed that rational dosage, which was 50 mg/L of Fe, 1 mg/L of Cu and 5 mg/L of Mo, significantly stimulated the removal of NO2−. However, the activity of microbes was noticeably inhibited at 5 mg/L of Cu and 1 mg/L of Mo. Microbial community analysis indicated that the abundances of n-damo bacteria and methanogens showed a positive response to the rational dosage. Furthermore, the expression of key functional genes was enhanced under the rational dosage condition.