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Influence of Ni, Co, Fe, and Na additions on methane production in Sphagnum-dominated Northern American peatlands

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Abstract

Although Sphagnum (moss)-dominated, northern peatlandecosystems harbor methane (CH4)-producing microorganisms(methanogens) and are a significant source of atmosphericCH4, rates of CH4 production vary widely amongdifferent systems. Very little work has been done to examine whetherconcentrations of cations and metal elements may account for thevariability. We examined rates of CH4 production in peat fromfive geographically and functionally disparateSphagnum-dominated peatlands by incubating peat samples invitro with and without additions of trace metals (Fe, Ni, Co) andbase cations (Ca, Li, Na). In peat from the most mineral poor sites, theaddition of metals and Na enhanced CH4 production beyond thatobserved in controls. The same treatments in mineral rich sites yieldedno effect or an inhibition of CH4 production. None of thetreatments affected anaerobic respiration, measured as CO2production, in the in vitro incubations of peat, except addedcitrate, suggesting that methanogens, and not the entire anaerobiccommunity, can be limited by the availability of metal elements andcations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Nathan Basiliko

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA (author for correspondence, e-mail:

    Joseph B. Yavitt

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  1. Nathan Basiliko
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  2. Joseph B. Yavitt
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Correspondence to Joseph B. Yavitt.

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Basiliko, N., Yavitt, J.B. Influence of Ni, Co, Fe, and Na additions on methane production in Sphagnum-dominated Northern American peatlands. Biogeochemistry 52, 133–153 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006461803585

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