Identification and characterization of a novel acidotolerant Fe(III)-reducing bacterium from a 3,000-year-old acidic rock drainage site

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2007 Mar;268(2):151-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00635.x.

Abstract

Acidic, ochre-precipitating springs at Mam Tor, East Midlands, UK, are analogous to sites impacted by acid mine drainage over prolonged periods of time, and were studied for the presence of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria. From enrichment cultures inoculated with Mam Tor sediment, a facultative anaerobe capable of reducing Fe(III) at pH values as low as three was isolated. 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that this bacterium is a close relative of Serratia species and not previously shown to respire using Fe(III) as an electron acceptor. Direct cell counts of the isolate grown with Fe(III)-NTA coupled with protein assays suggest that this bacterium is able to conserve energy for growth through Fe(III) reduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acids
  • Ferric Compounds / metabolism*
  • Geologic Sediments / microbiology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Serratia / classification*
  • Serratia / isolation & purification
  • Serratia / physiology
  • Species Specificity
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Acids
  • Ferric Compounds
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S