Biological methane production under putative Enceladus-like conditions

Nature Communications
Ruth-Sophie TaubnerSimon K-M R Rittmann

Abstract

The detection of silica-rich dust particles, as an indication for ongoing hydrothermal activity, and the presence of water and organic molecules in the plume of Enceladus, have made Saturn's icy moon a hot spot in the search for potential extraterrestrial life. Methanogenic archaea are among the organisms that could potentially thrive under the predicted conditions on Enceladus, considering that both molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) have been detected in the plume. Here we show that a methanogenic archaeon, Methanothermococcus okinawensis, can produce CH4 under physicochemical conditions extrapolated for Enceladus. Up to 72% carbon dioxide to CH4 conversion is reached at 50 bar in the presence of potential inhibitors. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic computations of low-temperature serpentinization indicate that there may be sufficient H2 gas production to serve as a substrate for CH4 production on Enceladus. We conclude that some of the CH4 detected in the plume of Enceladus might, in principle, be produced by methanogens.

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Citations

Mar 20, 2018·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·Ashley York
Jan 7, 2020·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·S D Vance, M Melwani Daswani
Apr 23, 2020·Life·Kathryn BywatersLawrence Lemke
May 1, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Nancy MerinoDonato Giovannelli
Aug 29, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Nancy MerinoDonato Giovannelli
Feb 7, 2020·Space Science Reviews·Ruth-Sophie TaubnerKrista M Soderlund
Oct 28, 2020·Chemistry : a European Journal·Georgios AngelisGeorgios Pampalakis
Feb 17, 2019·Microorganisms·Simon P GregoryAntoni E Milodowski
Dec 4, 2020·Biotechnology Advances·Kevin PfeiferSimon K-M R Rittmann
Jan 30, 2021·Astrobiology·Charles S CockellPeter M Higgins
Mar 7, 2021·Communications Biology·Lisa-Maria MauerhoferSimon K-M R Rittmann
Oct 17, 2020·Astrobiology·Harrison B SmithSara Imari Walker
May 18, 2021··Michael YipRohan Thakker

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