Evolution of Protein Molecules

Natural products: a continuing source of novel drug leads.

The science of the total environment

Acid mine drainage remediation options: a review

From near to far ,

from here to there ,

funny things are everywhere. 

—Dr. Seuss, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish 

In 1909, H. Joel Conn ([25][1]) expressed the hope that methods would soon be at hand by which the significance of the different bacteria present in any soil could be

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Identifying the Dominant Soil Bacterial Taxa in Libraries of 16S rRNA and 16S rRNA Genes

The microbiology of acidic mine waters

Microorganisms were enumerated and isolated on selective solid media from a pilot-scale stirred-tank bioleaching operation in which a polymetallic sulfide concentrate was subjected to biologically accelerated oxidation at 45°C. Four distinct prokaryotes were isolated: three bacteria (an Acidithiobacillus caldus-like organism, a thermophilic Leptospirillum sp., and a Sulfobacillus sp.) and one archaeon (a Ferroplasma-like isolate). The relative numbers of these prokaryotes changed in the three reactors sampled, and the Ferroplasma isolate became increasingly dominant as mineral oxidation progressed, eventually accounting for >99% of plate isolates in the third of three in-line reactors. The identities of the isolates were confirmed by analyses of their 16S rRNA genes, and some key physiological traits (e.g., oxidation of iron and/or sulfur and autotrophy or heterotrophy) were examined. More detailed studies were carried out with the Leptospirillum and Ferroplasma isolates. The data presented here represent the first quantitative study of the microorganisms in a metal leaching situation and confirm that mixed cultures of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing prokaryotic acidophiles catalyze the accelerated dissolution of sulfidic minerals in industrial tank bioleaching operations. The results show that indigenous acidophilic microbial populations change as mineral dissolution becomes more extensive.

Enumeration and Characterization of Acidophilic Microorganisms Isolated from a Pilot Plant Stirred-Tank Bioleaching Operation

A fast and simple turbidimetric method for the determination of sulfate in sulfate-reducing bacterial cultures

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews recent literature concerning the biology of acidophilic prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) specifically relating to acidophilic taxonomy and phylogeny. Acidophilic microorganisms are one group of extremophiles that is becoming increasingly important, both ecologically and economically. Acidophiles can be found in all three domains of organisms, indicating their ability to thrive in acid environments developed early in evolution, can thrive in environments of low pH ( At. ferrooxidans to oxidize ferrous iron in acidic wastewaters, with pH at >2.5, will result in the hydrolysis and precipitation of the ferric iron produced; this has been considered as an alternative to, or used in conjunction with, chemical treatment.

Kevin B. Hallberg

Papers

Acid mine drainage remediation options: a review

The microbiology of acidic mine waters

Enumeration and Characterization of Acidophilic Microorganisms Isolated from a Pilot Plant Stirred-Tank Bioleaching Operation

A fast and simple turbidimetric method for the determination of sulfate in sulfate-reducing bacterial cultures

Biodiversity of acidophilic prokaryotes