- NO air pockets in the mud column - Carbon sourcescalcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, cellulose powder, or shredded paper Anaerobic bacteria at the bottom of the column- ferment cellulose or starch at the bottom to hydrogen, organic acids and alcohol utilize by sulfate-reducing bacteria Anaerobic sulfide rich environment sulfate terminal electron acceptor formation of H2S gradient from bottom upward bottom of the column becomes black due to formation of metal sulfides