Inhibition of methane oxidation by volatile sulfur compounds (CH3SH and CS2) in landfill cover soils

Abstract

Methanethiol and carbon disulphide were investigated for their ability to inhibit methane oxidation in two landfill cover soils. Methanethiol was found to be a competitive inhibitor, and at concentrations occurring in landfills, both these VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) had inhibitory effects on the methane oxidation rates. Analysis of the phospholipid fatty acid contents in the soils indicated that type I-methanotrophs were more affected than type II. These effects of VSCs on methane oxidation are likely to have implications both for the establishment and the selectivity of a methane oxidizing microflora in landfills.