Response of methanogen community to elevation of cathode potentials in the presence of magnetite

Electromethanogenesis refers to the process where methanogens utilize electrons derived from cathodes for the reduction of CO2 to CH4. Setting of low cathode potentials is essential for this process. In this study, we test if magnetite, an iron oxide mineral widespread in environment, can facilitate the adaption of methanogen community to the elevation of cathode potentials in electrochemical reactors. Two-chamber electrochemical reactors were constructed with inoculants obtained from a paddy field soil. We elevated cathode potentials stepwise from the initial −0.6 V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) to −0.5 V and then to −0.4 V over the 120 days acclimation. Only weak current consumption and CH4 production were observed in the reactors without magnetite. But biocathodes were firmly developed and significant current consumption and CH4 production were recorded in the magnetite reactors. The robustness of electro-activity in the magnetite reactors was not affected with the elevation of cathode potentials from −0.6 V to −0.4 V. But, the current consumption and CH4 production were virtually halted in the reactors without magnetite when cathode potential was elevated to −0.4 V. Methanogens related to Methanospirillum were enriched on cathode surface of the magnetite reactors at −0.4 V, while Methanosarcina relatively dominated in the reactors without magnetite. Methanobacterium also increased in the magnetite reactors but stayed off electrodes in the culture medium at −0.4 V. Apparently, magnetite greatly facilitates the development of biocathodes, and it appears that with the aid of magnetite Methanospirillum spp. can adapt to high cathode potentials performing the efficient electromethanogenesis. IMPORTANCE Converting CO2 to CH4 through bioelectrochemistry is a promising approach for development of green energy biotechnology. This process however requires setting the low cathode potentials, which takes cost. In this study, we test if magnetite, a conductive iron mineral, can facilitate the adaption of methanogens to the elevation of cathode potentials. In the two-chamber reactors constructed using inoculants obtained from a paddy field soil, biocathodes were firmly developed in the presence of magnetite, whereas only weak electro-activity was observed in the reactors without magnetite. The elevation of cathode potentials did not affect the robustness of electro-activity in the magnetite reactors over the 120 days acclimation. Methanospirillum was identified as the key methanogens associated with cathode surface during the operation at relatively high potentials. The findings reported in this study shed a new light on the adaption of methanogen community to the elevated cathode potentials in the presence of magnetite.