For metabolome analysis, cells were lysed and metabolites were extracted from sediments in the FTRs in a methanol:chloroform mixture (1:2, v:v; -20C°) for 30 min under sonication. The metabolites in the supernatants were analysed by GC-QTOF-MS and LC-QTOF-MS (both Agilent Technologies) following Godzien, et al. 51 (link) and Kind, et al. 52 (link) with slight modifications. Volatile fatty acid concentration in FTR effluent was determined using SPME GC-MS. A HP-5MS non polar column (Agilent Technologies, Mount Waverley, Australia) of dimensions 30 m x 0.25 mm ID x 0.25 μm film thickness was used for separation in conjunction with splitless injection mode and H2 carrier gas. The method was optimized by exposing Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane SPME fibre to 10 mL of sample seawater headspace at 50°C for 60 min with 2g NaCl and acid addition prior to injection.