Stable isotope compositions of methane (δ13C and δD) and of short-chain alkanes are commonly used to trace the origin and fate of carbon in the continental crust. In continental sedimentary systems, methane is typically produced through thermogenic cracking of organic matter and/or through microbial methanogenesis. However, secondary processes such as mixing, migration or biodegradation can alter the original isotopic and composition of the gas, making the identification and the quantification of primary sources challenging. The recently resolved methane ‘clumped’ isotopologues Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 are unique indicators of whether methane is at thermodynamic isotopic equilibrium or not, thereby providing insights into formation temperatures and/or into kinetic processes controlling methane generation processes, including microbial methanogenesis.
In this study, we report the first systematic use of methane Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 in the context of continental sedimentary basins. We investigated sedimentary formations from the Southwest Ontario and Michigan Basins, where the presence of both microbial and thermogenic methane was previously proposed. Methane from the Silurian strata coexist with highly saline brines, and clumped isotopologues exhibit large offsets from thermodynamic equilibrium, with Δ12CH2D2 values as low as −23‰. Together with conventional δ13C and δD values, the variability in Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 to first order reflects a mixing relationship between near-equilibrated thermogenic methane similar to gases from deeper Cambrian and Middle Ordovician units, and a source characterized by a substantial departure from equilibrium that could be associated with microbial methanogenesis. In contrast, methane from the Devonian-age Antrim Shale, associated with less saline porewaters, reveals Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 values that are approaching low temperature thermodynamic equilibrium. While microbial methanogenesis remains an important contributor to the methane budget in the Antrim Shale, it is suggested that Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane (AOM) could contribute to reprocessing methane isotopologues, yielding Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2 signatures approaching thermodynamic equilibrium.
Last year we launched our first “Early-Career Special Issue” to highlight and share the work of some of the pioneers in systems microbiology science who are just stepping into their first independent research positions. The special issue—published in March/April 2018 (https://msystems.asm.org/content/3/2)—was, we believe, a great success. First, it provided a platform for these early-career researchers to highlight their work and their vision, in a format frequently reserved for people further along in their careers. Having such a large collection all in a single place allows one to get an excellent perspective on the future of microbial systems biology. Second, we believe the collection also serves as an important networking and communication resource. For example, conference organizers, companies, department chairs, and others looking for early-career scholars working across the breadth of microbial systems biology can use these articles. In addition, the collection provides an opportunity to see the bigger picture of the vision driving the work of key people in the field, which in turn could be a key resource for those looking for new collaborators, or possible mentors for graduate school or postdoctoral training.
