Methanogenic potential of lignites in Poland

Inactivation of methanogenic pathways by BES led to stimulation of bacterial respiration, which suggests the presence of an active bacterial community, putatively involved in the decomposition of lignin. The biomarker analysis, depicting metabolic capabilities of the microbiota (especially GDGT-0 and GDGT-0/crenarchaeol ratio) and recognition of palaeoenvironmental conditions, is a useful tool to determine the methanogenic potential of coals.