Abstract The present research compares the yield of microbial methane production from different lithotypes of Miocene lignite from the Konin Basin in Poland and attempts to establish an understanding of the processes responsible for methanogenesis. A series of batch experiments were carried out with detritic and xylitic lignites inoculated with microorganisms from an external source (the anaerobic chamber of a wastewater treatment plant in a sugar factory). Biogas volume, concentration and stable carbon isotopes of microbial methane were measured. It was found that detritic lignites are a slightly more suitable raw material for microbial methane production than xylites. Methane yield for detritic lignites equalled 14.3 μmol CH4/g of total organic carbon (TOC); for xylites, 13.7 μmol CH4/g of TOC. The mean δ13C(CH4) value in experiments with detritic coal from Konin equalled −36.3‰; for fossil wood fragments, −47.3‰ and −42.7‰. We suppose that differences in mean δ13C(CH4) values from the biodegradation of different lithotypes of lignite from the Konin Basin most probably depend on cellulose and lignin content (%). The holocellulose content in xylites decreased over time, suggesting the important role of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose. Methane from detritic lignite was formed due to lignin decomposition. Methane-producing microbial communities were dominated by Bacteria mainly from the phyla Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Beta- and Gamma- or Deltaproteobacteria), Firmicutes (Clostridia and Bacilli), Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Archaea constituted only 2–6% of the microbial community, including Methanosarcinales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanobacteriales. The data presented here show no clear correlations between lignite type and specific bacterial or archaeal taxa. However, certain tendencies were observed. Exiguobacterium and Pseudomonas are more abundant in xylites, Rhizobacteriaceae in detritic lignites. This indicates the complexity and diversity of lignite material and processes leading to lignite degradation. In the presented research model, anaerobic oxidation of methane may occur.

中文翻译：

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波兰科宁盆地不同岩型中新世褐煤的微生物甲烷形成：气体的地球化学和微生物群落的组成

摘要 本研究比较了波兰 Konin 盆地不同岩型中新世褐煤的微生物甲烷产量，并试图了解甲烷生成的过程。使用外部来源（糖厂废水处理厂的厌氧室）接种微生物的碎屑和木质褐煤进行了一系列批量实验。测量了微生物甲烷的沼气体积、浓度和稳定碳同位素。研究发现，碎屑褐煤是一种比木纹石更适合微生物甲烷生产的原材料。碎屑褐煤的甲烷产量等于 14.3 μmol CH4/g 总有机碳 (TOC)；对于木石，13.7 μmol CH4/g TOC。用来自科宁的碎屑煤进行实验的平均δ13C(CH4)值等于-36.3‰；对于化石木材碎片，-47.3‰和-42.7‰。我们假设来自 Konin 盆地不同岩型褐煤的生物降解的平均 δ13C(CH4) 值的差异很可能取决于纤维素和木质素含量 (%)。木石中的全纤维素含量随着时间的推移而降低，表明纤维素酶水解为葡萄糖的重要作用。由于木质素分解，由碎屑褐煤形成甲烷。产甲烷微生物群落主要由来自变形菌门（α-、β-和γ-或δ-变形菌门）、厚壁菌门（梭状芽孢杆菌和芽孢杆菌）、放线菌门和拟杆菌门的细菌主导。古细菌仅占微生物群落的 2-6%，包括 Methanosarcinales，甲烷菌目和甲烷菌目。此处提供的数据显示褐煤类型与特定细菌或古菌类群之间没有明显的相关性。然而，观察到了某些趋势。细枝杆菌和假单胞菌在木纹石中含量更高，在碎屑褐煤中的根杆菌科中含量更高。这表明褐煤材料和导致褐煤降解的过程的复杂性和多样性。在所提出的研究模型中，可能会发生甲烷的厌氧氧化。这表明褐煤材料和导致褐煤降解的过程的复杂性和多样性。在所提出的研究模型中，可能会发生甲烷的厌氧氧化。这表明褐煤材料和导致褐煤降解的过程的复杂性和多样性。在所提出的研究模型中，可能会发生甲烷的厌氧氧化。