In my undergraduate degree I studied microbiology where the microbial communities of AD were discussed as a waste management technology for waste water mostly. During this study I became aware of reactor conditions and how they can effect microbial communities.
Inhibition of anaerobic digestion is widely studied among the literature especially when swine manure is used as a feedstock. Swine manure contains high levels of ammonia which can build up within the reactor inhibiting AD. Volatile fatty acid build up can also result in inhibition. Drops in pH levels can interrupt microbial communities as they grow optimally at preferred pH levels. Inhibition can lead to low biogas yield as well as low methane yield within biogas.
Bacteria also grow at optimal temperatures which can make AD difficult to preform in countries with low ambient temperatures due to energy needs to reach mesophilic or thermophilic treatment temperatures. A pilot project however in Ireland carried out low temperature AD on dairy waste water and found it to be effective.
Methanogenesis the final microbial step of AD has been recorded in cold regions (Arctic) so its clear the microbes have an ability to adapt to colder regions. the study found this to be correct and saw quick acclimation times as bacteria begin to adapt to stressful conditions.
Low temperature AD offers a low technology, low cost method for the treatment of wastewaters in countries with low ambient temperatures.