METHANE CONSUMPTION IN (HYPER) SALINE HABITATS OF CRIMEA (UKRAINE)

This paper documents methane utilization in (hyper)saline environments . Methane consumption in the Crimea basins, exhibiting salinities of 8 % to 33%, was as much as 1200 pmol cm(-3) d(-1). This process was main ly associated with the: upper layer of sediment (microbial mat), altho ugh substantial activity was also located in adjacent water. Studies o f the influence of NaCl levels on the methane consumption revealed a p ositive correlation between optimal salt concentration and the natural salinity of the samples selected.