Multiple modes of methanogenesis in deep hydrothermally-influenced subsurface sediments

Multiple modes of methanogenesis in deep hydrothermally-influenced subsurface sediments | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Multiple modes of methanogenesis in deep hydrothermally-influenced subsurface sediments Samantha Joye, Qiao Liu, Guang-Chao Zhuang, Ji-Hoon Kim, Zhen Zhou, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8251301/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Deep marine sediments are the largest reservoir of methane on Earth. Yet, the pathways and activity of methanogenesis in deep, hot (>50℃) subsurface sediments remain poorly understood. We quantified methanogenic activity using five 14C-labeled substrates and integrated geochemical data to identify dominant pathways and their environmental controls in the subsurface sediments of the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, where temperatures are exceptionally high due to magmatic sill intrusions. Thermodynamic calculations and C1/C2+ ratios indicate that methane in the relatively cooler (<60℃) and shallower layers (<250 meters below seafloor; mbsf), is predominantly of biogenic origin. Radiotracer experiments revealed multiple pathways of hydrogenotrophic, acetoclastic, and methylotrophic methanogenesis from 3 to 80°C, highlighting an unexpectedly high metabolic versatility of methanogens in thermally-altered sediments. Methanogenesis peaked in near-surface sediments, declined at 40–60°C, and re-emerged at 80°C, reflecting a shift from mesophilic to thermophilic communities. Methylotrophic methanogenesis, fueled by abundant methylated compounds, persisted to 320 mbsf and dominated up to 60°C, while deeper sill-influenced sediments were dominated by hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic pathways driven by active microbes and reactive organic matter. These results reveal simultaneous activity of multiple pathways, advancing understanding of methane production in hydrothermally heated sediments. Biological sciences/Microbiology/Environmental microbiology Earth and environmental sciences/Biogeochemistry/Carbon cycle Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SMIODP385MOGLiuetal.pdf Supplementary Material Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8251301","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":554883722,"identity":"df02aab6-a0d8-45ed-a9c2-c9abbe60bab2","order_by":0,"name":"Samantha 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Yet, the pathways and activity of methanogenesis in deep, hot (\u003e50℃) subsurface sediments remain poorly understood. We quantified methanogenic activity using five 14C-labeled substrates and integrated geochemical data to identify dominant pathways and their environmental controls in the subsurface sediments of the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, where temperatures are exceptionally high due to magmatic sill intrusions. Thermodynamic calculations and C1/C2+ ratios indicate that methane in the relatively cooler (\u003c60℃) and shallower layers (\u003c250 meters below seafloor; mbsf), is predominantly of biogenic origin. Radiotracer experiments revealed multiple pathways of hydrogenotrophic, acetoclastic, and methylotrophic methanogenesis from 3 to 80°C, highlighting an unexpectedly high metabolic versatility of methanogens in thermally-altered sediments. 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