Methanotrophs in sewers and wastewater treatment plants – diversity, activity, and technological applications for reduced climate impact

Research Project, 2025 – 2029

Methanotrophs, bacteria that oxidize methane, are present in sewer networks and wastewater treatment plants.These bacteria have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and influence sulfur transformations, which cause corrosion in sewer systems.
Methanotrophs, bacteria that oxidize methane, are present in sewer networks and wastewater treatment plants. These bacteria have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and influence sulfur transformations, which cause corrosion in sewer systems. Additionally, methanotrophs may impact nitrogen transformations, a crucial aspect of wastewater treatment aimed at nitrogen removal. Despite their significance, our understanding of methanotrophs in these systems is very limited. This project aims to investigate the distribution, diversity, and activity of methanotrophs. Furthermore, it seeks to explore innovative applications of methanotrophs as passive samplers for detecting methane emissions from sewers. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, can be emitted in large quantities from sewers, yet these emissions are challenging to measure.The project is divided into three work packages (WP). WP1 involves a field sampling campaign of sewer systems and treatment plants to determine the distribution of methanotrophs and correlate their activity with methane production. WP2 focuses on laboratory experiments to examine how sewer conditions affect methanotrophic activities. In WP3, we will develop passive samplers based on methanotrophs to assess long-term methane production in sewers. This project will provide a better understanding as well as new tools for assessing the climate impact of our entire wastewater system. Additionally, it will demonstrate how emissions can be reduced.