[Methane-generating potential of coal samples with different maturity].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate coal bed methane production potential and characterize the in situ microbial communities of coal bed.

METHODS

Coal samples were incubated under anaerobic conditions: mimicking coal bed condition, supplementing with methanogenic hydrocarbon degrading consortium, or adding with exogenetic substrate. Methane production was observed over time using gas chromatograph, and the in situ bacterial and archaeal communities were revealed using pyrosequencing.

RESULTS

Enrichment incubation revealed that 3 of total 10 coal samples microcosms produced methane; bioaugmentation and substrate addition could enhance methane production of coal sample HF. Hydrogenotrophic Methanoculleus and acetoclastic Methanosaeta dominated the archaeal community of coal sample SL, while the bacterial domain was mainly composed of Firmicutes (54.4%), Proteobacteria (30.9%), uncultured bacteria (10.8%), Caldiserica (1.5%) and Thermotogae (1.3%).

CONCLUSION

The methane production potential of coal bed samples with different maturity is different; the in situ coal bed microcosms are likely involved in hydrocarbons degradation and methane production.