• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.185-199
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• 2017

Methane, which is emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources, is a representative greenhouse gas for global warming. Methanotrophs are widespread in the environment and play an important role in the biological oxidation of methane via methane monooxygenases (MMOs), key enzymes for methane oxidation with broad substrate specificity. Methanotrophs have attracted attention as multifunctional bacteria with promising applications in biological methane mitigation technology and environmental bioremediation. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge regarding the biodiversity of methanotrophs, catalytic properties of MMOs, and high-cell density cultivation technology. In addition, we have reviewed the recent advances in biological methane mitigation technologies using methanotrophs in field-scale systems as well as in lab-scale bioreactors. We have also surveyed information on the dynamics of the methanotrophic community in biological systems and discussed the various challenges pertaining to methanotroph-related biotechnological innovation, such as identification of suitable methanotrophic strains with better and/or novel metabolic activity, development of high-cell density mass cultivation technology, and the microbial consortium (methanotrophs and non-methanotrophs consortium) design and control technology.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2013

Biofilters for the removal of methane using tobermolite, perlite and polyurethane as packing materials have been undergoing recent development. The effects of these packing materials on methane oxidation activity were evaluated in this study. Mixed methanotrophs (consortia A, B, C and D) from wetland and landfill soils were used as the inoculum sources. The influences of packing materials, consisting of tobermolite, perlite, and polyurethane, on the methane oxidation rate and methanotrophic bio-mass, were estimated. When perlite was added into the methanotrophic cultures, the methane oxidation rate was more than twice that of the control (without packing materials), and the methanotrophic biomass increased more than 10 fold. The ratio of methanotrophic bacteria to total bacteria under with tobermolite packing material was higher than the control and the other packing materials, indicating that tobermolite can serve as a specific packing material where dominance of methanotrophs is desired. Therefore, perlite and tobermolite provide habitats which increase the activity of methanotrophic bacteria, and these packing materials are promising for use in methane oxidation processes.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.1415-1419
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• 2006

메탄을 탄소원 및 에너지원으로 이용하는 메탄산화균은 물질대사과정 중에 다량의 세포외 고분자물질인 Extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)를 생성하는데, EPS는 카르복실기와 같은 표면흡착 기능을 가지고 있어 생체흡착제로 사용이 가능하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 메탄산화세균을 이용하여 중금속인 Cd의 흡착성능을 파악하여 활성슬러지의 흡착능과 비교하고, EPS 농도별, pH별 흡착량의 변화를 실험한 후 Freundlich 흡착모델식에 적용하여 흡착공정의 기본적인 설계인자를 도출하고자 하였다. 실험에 사용한 메탄산화세균은 매립지 복토층 상부 토양에서 분리하여 실험실에서 대량으로 배양하였으며, EPS 생성을 위해 메탄을 Head space의 20%를 주입하고 $30^{\circ}C$, 150rpm에서 질소원이 부족한 조건으로 48hr 동안 배양하였다. Cd의 흡착실험은 용액의 pH를 3에서 8까지 변화를 주면서 활성슬러지와 메탄산화세균의 시간별 흡착능을 측정하였다. 또한 중금속의 농도별 흡착능을 측정하여 흡착평형 상수를 파악하였으며, 중금속 흡착 전, 후 미생물의 SEM 촬영, FT-IR 분석, 전자현미분석(EPMA)을 통하여 무기성분 분석 및 표면관찰을 수행하였다. 실험결과 메탄산화세균에 의해 생성된 EPS 물질은 중금속에 대한 강한 결합능력이 있으며, Cd에 대한 최고 흡착능은 26mg Cd(Ⅱ)/g VSS의 값을 보였다. 이러한 미생물의 EPS의 흡착능은 pH와 칼슘이온의 영향을 많이 받았으며, 메탄산화세균의 FT-IR 분석결과 EPS에는 sulfate ester, pyruvate 등과 같은 작용기와 amino sugar, carboxyl 작용기들이 많이 존재하여 활성슬러지에 비해 중금속의 흡착능이 높은 것으로 사료되었다.X>${\mu}_{max,A}$는 최대암모니아 섭취률을 이용하여 구한 결과 $0.65d^{-1}$로 나타났다.EX>$60%{\sim}87%$가 수심 10m 이내에 분포하였고, 녹조강과 남조강이 우점하는 하절기에는 5m 이내에 주로 분포하였다. 취수탑 지점의 수심이 연중 $25{\sim}35m$를 유지하는 H호의 경우 간헐식 폭기장치를 가동하는 기간은 물론 그 외 기간에도 취수구의 심도를 표층 10m 이하로 유지 할 경우 전체 조류 유입량을 60% 이상 저감할 수 있을 것으로 조사되었다.심볼 및 색채 디자인 등의 작업이 수반되어야 하며, 이들을 고려한 인터넷용 GIS기본도를 신규 제작한다. 상습침수지구와 관련된 각종 GIS데이타와 각 기관이 보유하고 있는 공공정보 가운데 공간정보와 연계되어야 하는 자료를 인터넷 GIS를 이용하여 효율적으로 관리하기 위해서는 단계별 구축전략이 필요하다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 인터넷 GIS를 이용하여 상습침수구역관련 정보를 검색, 처리 및 분석할 수 있는 상습침수 구역 종합정보화 시스템을 구축토록 하였다.N, 항목에서 보 상류가 높게 나타났으나, 철거되지 않은 검전보나 안양대교보에 비해 그 차이가 크지 않은 것으로 나타났다.의 기상변화가 자발성 기흉 발생에 영향을 미친다고 추론할 수 있었다. 향후 본 연구에서 추론된 기상변화와 기흉 발생과의 인과관계를 확인하고 좀 더 구체화하기 위한 연구가 필요할 것이다.게 이루어질 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.는 초과수익률이 상승하지만, 이후로는 감소하므로, 반전거래전략을 활용하는 경우 주식투자기간은 24개월이하의 중단기가 적합함을 발견하였다. 이상의 행태적 측면과 투자성과측면의 실증결과를 통하여 한국주식시장에 있어서 시장수익률을 평균적으로 초과할 수 있는 거래전

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

Gas hydrates play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and climate change because methane, a greenhouse gas, can be released from the dissociation of gas hydrate. Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is an important process that consumes more than 90% of the methane released into the hydrosphere and atmosphere. In this study, the microbial community associated with the methane gas hydrate sediment in the Ulleung basin, East Sea of Korea (UBGH) was analyzed by phylogenetic analysis of the mcrA and 16S rRNA gene libraries. A vertical stratification of the dominating anaerobic methane oxidizer (ANME)-1 group was observed at the surface and the sulfate methane transition zone (SMTZ). The ANME-2c group was found to be dominant in the high methane layer. The archaea of marine benthic group B, which is commonly observed in the AOM region, accounted for more than 50% of the identifications in all sediments. Nitrate reducing bacteria were predominant at SMTZ (Halomonas: 56.5%) and high methane layer (Achromobacter: 52.6%), while sulfate reducing bacteria were not found in UBGH sediments. These results suggest that the AOM process may be carried out by a syntrophic consortium of ANME and nitrate reducing bacteria in the gas hydrates of the Ulleung Basin of the East Sea.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.152-156
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• 2012

Methanotrophic communities from freshwater wetland (FW), seawater wetland (SW), forest (FS), and landfill soils (LS) around Seoul of South Korea, were characterized using comparative sequence analyses of clone libraries. Proportions of Methylocaldum, Methlyococcus and Methylosinus were found to be greater in FW and SW, while Methylobacter and Methylomonas were more notable in FS and Methylocystis and Methylomicrobium more prominent in LS. Lag periods behind the initiation of methane oxidation significantly varied amongst the soils. Methane oxidation rates were greater in $FW{\geq}LS{\geq}SW>FS$ (p<0.05). Thus, the environmental setting is a significant factor influencing the communities and capabilities of methanotrophs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.221-227
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• 2013

The methane oxidation characteristics at the top and bottom layers in up-flow biofilters were investigated. Two biofilters were packed with perlite and tobermolite (biofilter A: respectively top and bottom; biofilter B: respectively bottom and top) and then compared. The methane oxidation rate was analyzed with the packed bed of the biofilter layers. The bacterial population in the biofilter was characterized using quantitative real-time PCR. For the methane oxidation rate of the biofilter A column, the perlite top part ($845.16{\pm}64.78{\mu}mol{\cdot}VS^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$) gave a relatively higher value than the tobermolite bottom part ($381.85{\pm}42.00{\mu}mol{\cdot}VS^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$). For the methane oxidation rate of the biofilter B column, the tobermolite top part ($601.25{\pm}37.78{\mu}mol{\cdot}VS^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$) provided a relatively higher value than the perlite bottom part ($411.07{\pm}53.02{\mu}mol{\cdot}VS^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$). The pmoA gene copy numbers, responsible for methanotrophs, in the top layer of biofilter A (1.27E+13 pmoA gene copy number/mg-VSS) was higher than in the bottom layer (3.33E+13 pmoA gene copy number/mg-VSS). However, the population of methanotrophs in biofilter B was not significantly different between the top and bottom layers. These results suggest that although the methane oxidation rates of perlite and tobermolite in the top parts of biofilter A and B were high, methanotroph populations were higher in the bottom parts of both biofilters, with a rapid decline in methane concentrations within the biofilters.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2019

In tidal flats that lack plants, methane ($CH_4$) fluxes are both positive (gas emission) and negative (gas "sinking") in nature. The levels of methanotroph populations significantly affect the extent of $CH_4$ sinking. This preliminary study examined $CH_4$ flux in tidal flats using a circular closed-chamber method to understand the effects of macroinvertebrate burrowing activity. The chamber was deployed over decapods (mud shrimp, Laomedia astacina and crab, Macrophthalmus japonicus) burrows for ~ 2 h, and the $CH_4$ and $CO_2$ concentrations were continuously monitored using a closed, diffuse $CH_4/CO_2$ flux meter. We found that Laomedia astacina burrow (which is relatively long) site afforded higher-level $CH_4$ production, likely due to diffusive emission of $CH_4$ in deep-layer sediments. In addition, the large methanotrophic bacteria population found in the burrow wall sediments has $CH_4$ oxidation (consumption) potential. Especially, nitrite-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) may occur within burrows. The proposed $CH_4$-oxidation process was supported by the decrease in the ${\delta}^{13}C$ of headspace $CO_2$ during the chamber experiment. Therefore, macroinvertebrate burrows appear to be an important ecosystem environment for controlling atmospheric $CH_4$ over tidal flats.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.293-305
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• 2009

Methane, as a greenhouse gas, is some 21~25 times more detrimental to the environmental than carbon dioxide. Landfills generally constitute the most important anthropogenic source, and methane emission from landfill was estimated as 35~73 Tg per year. Biological approaches using biocover (open system) and biofilter (closed system) can be a promising solution for older and/or smaller landfills where the methane production is too low for energy recovery or flaring and installation of a gas extraction system is inefficient. Methanotrophic bacteria, utilizing methane as a sole carbon and energy source, are responsible for the aerobic degradation (oxidation) of methane in the biological systems. Many bench-scale studies have demonstrated a high oxidation capacity in diverse filter bed materials such as soil, compost, earthworm cast and etc. Compost had been most often employed in the biological systems, and the methane oxidation rates in compost biocovers/boifilters ranged from 50 to $700\;g-CH_4\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$. Some preliminary field trials have showed the suitability of biocovers/biofilters for practical application and their satisfactory performance in mitigation methane emissions. Since the reduction of landfill methane emissions has been linked to carbon credits and trading schemes, the verified quantification of mitigated emissions through biocovers/biofilters is very important. Therefore, the assessment of in situ biocovers/biofilters performance should be standardized, and the reliable quantification methods of methane reduction is necessary.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2015

To elucidate the microbial consortia responsible for the anaerobic methane oxidation in the methane hydrate bearing sediments, we compared the geochemical constituents of the sediment, the rate of sulfate reduction, and microbial biomass and diversity using an analysis of functional genes associated with the anaerobic methane oxidation and sulfate reduction between chimney site (UBGH2-3) on the continental slope and non-chimney site (UBGH2-10) on the basin of the Ulleung Basin. From the vertical profiles of geochemical constituents, sulfate and methane transition zone (SMTZ) was clearly defined between 0.5 and 1.5 mbsf (meters below seafloor) in the UBGH2-3, and between 6 and 7 mbsf at the UBGH2-10. At the UBGH2-3, the sulfate reduction rate (SRR) in the SMTZ exhibited was appeared to be $1.82nmol\;cm^{-3}d^{-1}$ at the depth of 1.15 mbsf. The SRR in the UBHG2-10 showed a highest value ($4.29nmol\;cm^{-3}d^{-1}$) at the SMTZ. The 16S rRNA gene copy numbers of total Prokaryotes, mcrA, (methyl coenzyme M reductase subunit A), and dsrA (dissimilatory sulfite reductase subunit A) showed the peaks in the SMTZ at both sites, but the maximum mcrA gene copy number of the UBGH2-10 appeared below the SMTZ (9.8 mbsf). ANME-1 was a predominant ANME (Anaerobic MEthanotroph) group in both SMTZs of the UBGH2-3 and -10. However, The sequences of ANME-2 were detected only at 2.2 mbsf of the UBGH2-3 where high methane flux was observed because of massive amount of gas hydrate at shallow depth. And Desulfosarcina-Desulfococcus (DSS) that is associated with ANME-2 was detected in 2.2 mbsf of the UBHG2-3. Overall results demonstrate that ANME-1 and ANME-2 are considered as significant archaeal groups related to methane cycle in the subsurface sediment of the East Sea, and ANME-2/DSS consortia might be more responsible for methane oxidation in the methane seeping region than in non-seeping region.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2001

트리클로로에틸렌 (trichloroethylene, TCE)는 오랜 시간동안 자연환경에서 잔류할 뿐만 아니라 TCE보다 더욱 더 독성이 강한 중간 생성물들을 만들기 때문에 미국과 대부분의 전세계 국가들로부터 주요 1차 환경오염물질로 분류되었다. 그러한 독성물질들은 혐기성 상태에서는 다이클로로 에틸렌(dichloroethylene, DCE)과 바이닐 클로라이드 (vinyl chloride, VC)와 같은 독성물질들이 생성되고 호기성 상태에서는 TCE epoxide계통의 물질들이 생성된다. 또한 훈증제인 메틸 브로마이드 (methyl bromide)는 대기의 오존층을 파괴하는 것으로 알려져 있고, 2001년경에 미국환경보호청 (USEPA)에 의해 사용이 금지될 것이다. TCE는 혐기성 조건하에서 연속적으로 탈염소화되고, 이어서 호기성 조건하에서 완전 산화될 수 있다. 그리하여 연속적인 혐기성 및 호기성 조건하에서 궁극적으로 TCE의 완전분해를 이루게된다. 메틸브로마이드는 화학적으로 가수분해되어 메틸 알콜 (methyl alcohol)로 되거나 유기물에 강하게 결합 (bound)된다. 또한 그것은 생물학적으로 포름알데하이드 (formaldehyde)로 산화되거나 메틸알콜로 가수분해된다. 수많은 연구자들에 의해 행해진 연구들은 TCE와 MeBr은 메탄 혹은 암모니아 산화 세균에 의한 공동대사과정 (cometabolism)을 통해 분해가 증진될 수 있다는 것을 보여주었다. 두 부류의 세균들이 두 화합물들을 분해시킬 수 있는 monooxygenase를 생산한다는 것은 잘 알려져 있다. 이 연구 논문에서 TCE와 MeBr의 생분해와 관련된 가장 최근의 연구논문들로부터 나온 핵심 연구결과들이 요약 검토된다. TCE와 MeBr로 오염된 현장을 정화하기 위해 이러한 기초연구결과들을 토대로 더욱 더 많은 연구가 필요 할 것으로 사료된다.