Question

Which are the bacteria responsible for converting organic acids to methane?

Answer 1

Anaerobic bacteria are necessary to convert organic acids to methane. These anaerobic types of bacteria can decompose in the absence of oxygen.

Complete Answer:
- Methanogenic bacteria can turn acetic acid into methane. There are acidogenic bacteria that turn sugars, amino acids and fatty acids into acids. These acids are converted to acetic acid by acetogenic bacteria. Methanogenesis or biomethane is the formation of methane by organisms known as methanogens.
- Methanogens are microorganisms that contain methane as a metabolic by-product under hypoxic conditions. They are prokaryotic and belong to the archaea domain. Prokaryote is a cellular organism that lacks an enclosed nucleus. They are popular in wetlands where swamp gas is responsible.
- Marsh gas, swamp gas, and bog gas is a blend of methane, hydrogen sulphide, and carbon dioxide formed directly in some of the geological marshes, swamps.
- Methanogens are micro-organisms that contain methane as a by-product of their metabolism. Many of the methanogens are present in the intestines of ruminants for example in cows and as well as in humans.
- Methanogens are also largely responsible for the methane content in belching and flatulence. They are also present in inhospitable habitats such as the deep depths of the ocean floor, underwater volcanic vents and rocks along the mid-ocean ridges. They were also located within kilometres of ice as well as hot dry desert land.

Note: Archaea is a domain of single-celled species. These microorganisms lack cell nucleus and are thus prokaryotes. Archaea was previously known as bacteria. Archaebacteria were considered to be the oldest living species on earth.