The functioning of the microbial community in bottom sediments of Lake Baikal, with special regard to hydrothermal and gas hydrate regions

摘要

The anaerobic microbial community in deep-water sediments of Lake Baikal is mainly methanogenic. Organic matter utilization as a result of methane production exceeds that resulting from sulfate reduction. The study of microbial activity in sediments of regions of hydrothermal venting and gas hydrates shows similarities with hydrothermal oceanic regions, and indicates an important role of methanogenic and methanotropic communities in the carbon cycle of these regions of Baikal.