Evaluation of direct and indirect phosphorus limitation of methanogenic pathways in a calcareous subtropical wetland soil

The effect of phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) on methanogenesis was investigated in a low-P (130 mg P kg−1 soil) wetland within Everglades National Park. Soil was amended with C substrates (acetate, formate, butyrate, and glucose) with or without P, and CO2 and CH4 production was monitored. Production of CH4 increased with P addition although no effect on CO2 was observed. Methane production was stimulated by all C substrates except for butyrate. No effect of C on CO2 production was observed except for stimulation following glucose addition. Production of CH4 following formate addition was not affected by P, suggesting hydrogenotrophic methanogens may be substrate, not P, limited. Addition of P to all other C substrates heightened CH4 production and lowered the CO2–C:CH4–C ratio relative to the corresponding C only treatment, suggesting that P may have limited acetoclastic methanogens and fermentation.