Homoacetogenesis and microbial community composition are shaped by pH and total sulfide concentration

Biological CO(2) sequestration through acetogenesis with H(2) as electron donor is a promising technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, a major issue is the presence of impurities such as hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in CO(2) containing gases, as they are known to inhibit acetogenesis in CO(2)‐based fermentations. However, exact values of toxicity and inhibition are not well‐defined. To tackle this uncertainty, a series of toxicity experiments were conducted, with a mixed homoacetogenic culture, total dissolved sulfide concentrations ([TDS]) varied between 0 and 5 mM and pH between 5 and 7. The extent of inhibition was evaluated based on acetate production rates and microbial growth. Maximum acetate production rates of 0.12, 0.09 and 0.04 mM h(‐1) were achieved in the controls without sulfide at pH 7, pH 6 and pH 5. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50) (qAc)) was 0.86, 1.16 and 1.36 mM [TDS] for pH 7, pH 6 and pH 5. At [TDS] above 3.33 mM, acetate production and microbial growth were completely inhibited at all pHs. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed major community composition transitions that could be attributed to both pH and [TDS]. Based on the observed toxicity levels, treatment approaches for incoming industrial CO(2) streams can be determined.