Acetoclastic vs. Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis: defining the pH and alkalinity response of a haloalkaliphilic methanogenic community

In methanogenic communities, two main pathways drive methanogenesis: acetoclastic methanogenesis, which converts acetate into CH4 and CO2, and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, which reduces CO2 with H2 to form CH4. Under high-pH conditions, a shift in dominance from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis is often observed.