Acidithiobacillus
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Acidithiobacillus albertensis |
Acidithiobacillus is a genus of proteobacteria. The members of this genus used to belong to Thiobacillus, before they were reclassified in the year 2000.
- Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans lives in pyrite deposits, metabolizing iron and sulfur and producing sulfuric acid.
- Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans consumes sulfur and produces sulfuric acid. Discovered due to damage to sewer pipes containing hydrogen sulfide.
Both of these bacteria are used in a mining technique called bioleaching whereby metals are extracted from their ores through oxidation. The bacteria are used as catalysts.
[edit] References
Kelly, D.P., and Wood, A.P. "Reclassification of some species of Thiobacillus to the newly designated genera Acidithiobacillus gen. nov., Halothiobacillus gen. nov. and Thermithiobacillus gen. nov." Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. (2000) 50:489-500.
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