Evidence for methanogenic<i>Archaea</i>and homoacetogenic<i>Bacteria</i>in deep granitic rock aquifers

Abstract

The presence and diversity of methanogens and homoacetogens in deep granitic rock groundwater from Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory were studied. Concentrations of hydrogen and methane in Äspö groundwater were 45 nM–100 μM and 19–1000 μM, respectively. Groundwater-based media were used to count viable cells in the groundwaters from the subsurface. Different physiological groups of methanogens (autotrophic H2/CO2 consuming and heterotrophic acetate, methanol and trimethylamine consuming) were found at depths ranging from 68 to 446 m below sea level in numbers from 12 to 4.5×105 cells/ml. Viable numbers of different physiological groups of methanogens and autofluorescent cells were counted repeatedly during a period of 1 year in the groundwater. The counts were reproducible in the same boreholes at different sampling times. Methane production was observed in the groundwater with added methanogenic substrates, at anaerobic conditions, at 17°C, after 20–50 days of adaptation. The most active methane production took place in those groundwaters that were sources of methanogenic enrichment and pure cultures. Methanosarcina-like organisms were observed in groundwater from depths of 45–68 m and active enrichment cultures. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of enrichment cultures indicated the presence of a psychrophilic Methanohalophilus related organism at a depth of 414 m. A new species of alkaliphilic Methanobacterium was isolated from depths of 68, 409 and 420 m and studied. Homoacetogenic Bacteria were found in the granitic groundwater as viable cells from 10 to 3.6×104 cells/ml and produced acetate autotrophically. It appears that deep granitic groundwater is inhabited by autotrophic methanogens and acetogens, which may produce methane and acetate at the expense of subterranean hydrogen and bicarbonate.