Methanotrophic bacteria (MB) are an important group of microorganisms, involved in the greenhouse gas (GHG) cycles. They are responsible for the utilization of methane, one of the main GHGs, which is released in large amounts (via biogenic and abiogenic processes) during coal formation. This study aimed to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of the MB in two lignite-bearing series of the Turów and Bełchatów coal basins. Distribution of MB in the lignite profiles was studied using methanotroph-specific lipid biomarkers such as amino-bacteriohopanepolyols (NH-BHPs) and C-3 methylated BHPs. BHP results were combined with physical and chemical properties of the studied sediments. In general, lignites were richer in BHPs than the mineral samples, which points to the important role of the intrinsic methane cycling. NH-BHP speciation confirmed that the methanotrophic community of the studied sediments was a combination of both type I and, especially, type II methanotrophs. Based on geological data, it was suggested that elevated temperature during diagenesis intensifies decomposition of methanotroph-specific biomarkers (aminopentol and 3-Me BHT). It was found that the tested BHPs can derive from both fossil and living MB. The presence of metabolically active methanotrophs should therefore be accounted for during studies aimed at using lignite deposits as a source of methane.

甲烷营养菌 (MB) 是一类重要的微生物，参与温室气体 (GHG) 循环。它们负责利用甲烷，这是主要的温室气体之一，在煤形成过程中（通过生物和非生物过程）大量释放。本研究旨在确定影响 Turów 和 Bełchatów 煤盆两个含褐煤系列中 MB 分布的主要因素。使用甲烷氧化菌特异性脂质生物标志物，例如氨基-细菌霍烷多元醇 (NH-BHP) 和 C-3 甲基化 BHP，研究了褐煤分布中 MB 的分布。BHP 结果与所研究沉积物的物理和化学性质相结合。一般来说，褐煤比矿物样品富含 BHP，这表明内在甲烷循环的重要作用。NH-BHP 物种形成证实，所研究沉积物的甲烷氧化群落是 I 型，尤其是 II 型甲烷氧化菌的组合。根据地质数据，有人认为成岩过程中温度升高会加剧甲烷氧化菌特异性生物标志物（氨基戊醇和 3-Me BHT）的分解。发现测试的 BHP 可以来自化石和活 MB。因此，在旨在利用褐煤沉积物作为甲烷源的研究期间，应考虑到代谢活性甲烷氧化菌的存在。有人提出，成岩过程中温度升高会加剧甲烷氧化菌特异性生物标志物（氨基戊醇和 3-Me BHT）的分解。发现测试的 BHP 可以来自化石和活 MB。因此，在旨在使用褐煤沉积物作为甲烷来源的研究期间，应考虑到代谢活跃的甲烷氧化菌的存在 有人提出，成岩过程中温度升高会加剧甲烷氧化菌特异性生物标志物（氨基戊醇和 3-Me BHT）的分解。发现经测试的必和必拓可源自化石和活泼的甲基溴。因此，在旨在使用褐煤沉积物作为甲烷来源的研究期间，应考虑到代谢活跃的甲烷氧化菌的存在.