Metagenome assembly from a UASB reactor fed with algal biomass and sodium acetate. anaerobic digester metagenome

Metagenomes were sequenced from samples extracted throughout the course of digestion from a sludge blanket of anaerobic digester to identify key microorganisms degrading algal biomass and sodium acetate that was fed into the anaerobic reactor. Reactor had a UASB type of construction (up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket). This is the first study on dynamics of composition of microbial community degrading algal biomass in a UASB reactor. Knowledge of microbial dynamics will help to better understand anaerobic digestion process as a whole and provide a roadmap to improve it in particular.