Microbiological hydrogen (H2) thresholds in anaerobic continuous‐flow systems: Effects of system characteristics

Abstract

AbstractHydrogen (H2) concentrations that were associated with microbiological respiratory processes (RPs) such as sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were quantified in continuous‐flow systems (CFSs) (e.g., bioreactors, sediments). Gibbs free energy yield (ΔǴ ~ 0) of the relevant RP has been proposed to control the observed H2 concentrations, but most of the reported values do not align with the proposed energetic trends. Alternatively, we postulate that system characteristics of each experimental design influence all system components including H2 concentrations. To analyze this proposal, a Monod‐based mathematical model was developed and used to design a gas–liquid bioreactor for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis with Methanobacterium bryantii M.o.H. Gas‐to‐liquid H2 mass transfer, microbiological H2 consumption, biomass growth, methane formation, and Gibbs free energy yields were evaluated systematically. Combining model predictions and experimental results revealed that an initially large biomass concentration created transients during which biomass consumed [H2]L rapidly to the thermodynamic H2‐threshold (≤1 nM) that triggerred the microorganisms to stop H2 oxidation. With no H2 oxidation, continuous gas‐to‐liquid H2 transfer increased [H2]L to a level that signaled the methanogens to resume H2 oxidation. Thus, an oscillatory H2‐concentration profile developed between the thermodynamic H2‐threshold (≤1 nM) and a low [H2]L (~10 nM) that relied on the rate of gas‐to‐liquid H2‐transfer. The transient [H2]L values were too low to support biomass synthesis that could balance biomass losses through endogenous oxidation and advection; thus, biomass declined continuously and disappeared. A stable [H2]L (1807 nM) emerged as a result of abiotic H2‐balance between gas‐to‐liquid H2 transfer and H2 removal via advection of liquid‐phase.