Language
Country/Area
No result found
Did you know how elemental sulfur turns into hydrosulfide?
In our environment, elemental sulfur is more than just a chemical element. Its transformation involves the activity of microorganisms that convert elemental sulfur into hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during their metabolic processes. This process is mainly carried out by sulfur-reducing bacteria. These microorganisms use inorganic sulfur compounds as electron acceptors to respire, generate energy and maintain growth in an oxygen-deficient environment.
These bacteria are not only found in extreme environments such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and volcanic hot springs, but are also found in many freshwater environments.
Microbial sulfur reduction has been demonstrated in early studies, with one important discovery coming from a species of Vibroflapis in the mud, which uses sulfur as an electron acceptor and hydrogen as an electron donor. reaction. In 1976, the first purely cultured sulfur-reducing bacterial species, Desulfuromonas acetoxidans, was discovered and described by Pfennig and Biebel as anaerobic sulfur-reducing and acetate-oxidizing bacteria without the function of reducing sulfate.
Taxonomy
Sulfur-reducing bacteria are currently known to cover approximately 74 genera. These bacteria are distributed in different habitats, such as deep-sea and shallow-sea hydrothermal vents, freshwater and volcanic acid hot springs. Many sulfur-reducing bacteria belong to the phylum Thermodesulfobacteriota, as well as yellow single-celled organisms Gammaproteobacteria and Campylobacterota.
In addition to Sulfur reducing bacteria, bacteria such as Proteus, Campylobacter, Pseudomonas and Salmonella also have sulfur reducing capabilities.
Metabolic process
The reductive metabolism of sulfur is an ancient process mainly distributed in the deep branches of the phylogenetic tree. The process uses elemental sulfur (SO) to generate hydrosulfide (H2S) as the main product. Many sulfur-reducing bacteria can generate ATP through mineral sulfur respiration, including Wolinella, Ammonifex, and Desulfuromonas.
It is worth noting that some forced fermentation bacteria such as Thermotoga and Thermosipho can also reduce elemental sulfur in soil. These bacteria are particularly important in extreme environments.
Pseudomonadota Gate
Pseudomonadota is a major phylum of Gram-negative bacteria that possess a wide range of metabolic capabilities. Most members are facultatively or absolutely anaerobic, chemoautotrophic or heterotrophic organisms, and many are able to move with flagella.
Environmental importance
The production of hydrogen sulfide not only affects the ecological balance of microbial society, but also has an important impact on environmental chemistry. These microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and volcanic hot springs contribute to biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and carbon by recycling elemental sulfur and its compounds. Some bacteria such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans have the ability to grow in extreme environments with very low pH (1-2) and are able to promote the dissolution of copper and other metals and are also important players in this process.
Conclusion
From the reduction of sulfur to the formation of hydrogen sulfide, this process not only demonstrates the wonderful ecological functions of microorganisms but also their environmental responsibilities in extreme environments. Studying these microorganisms not only improves our understanding of volcanic activity but also raises challenges for future ecosystem management. Have we recognized the critical role that tiny life forms play in sustaining Earth's environment?
