Mapping microbial diversity

Swedish biogas digesters work under different process conditions with different organic materials. The result is differences in microbial composition and production efficiency. ÅForsk is funding a project to improve understanding of the microorganisms at work in this process, which is crucial in order to optimise biogas production.  

Subsequent research showed that the 22 digesters could be separated into three different groups based on strong correlations between the microorganisms and the organic matter in the reactors. Clearly, the characteristics of the organic matter are likely to have a significant effect on the microbial composition in the biogas digesters.