Editor: Alfons Stams
1574-6941/asset/FEM_left.gif?v=1&s=2a03321da9f27f8e060e9bf3143b19263216a14b)
1574-6941/asset/FEM_right.gif?v=1&s=2301a70ec47cb201dd5573c945a7677bca29d070)
You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article
Microbial sulphate reduction at a low pH
Article first published online: 28 APR 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2008.00482.x
© 2008 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved
Additional Information
How to Cite
Koschorreck, M. (2008), Microbial sulphate reduction at a low pH. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 64: 329–342. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2008.00482.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 APR 2008
- Article first published online: 28 APR 2008
- Received 5 November 2007; revised 4 February 2008; accepted 12 February 2008.First published online 29 April 2008.
Keywords:
- sulphate reduction;
- acidic;
- extreme environment;
- acidotolerant;
- acidophil;
- microniche
Abstract
It is now well established that microbial sulphate-reduction can proceed in environments with a pH<5. This review summarizes existing reports on sulphate reduction at low pH and discusses possible pH effects on sulphate-reducing bacteria. Microbial sulphate reduction has been observed in acidic lakes, wetlands, mesocosms, acidic sulphate soils and bioreactors. Possible inhibitory factors include the metabolites H2S and organic acids, which can be toxic depending on pH. Metal sulphide precipitation and competition with other bacteria, namely iron-reducing bacteria, can inhibit sulphate reduction. Theoretical considerations show that normal sulphate reduction rates are too low to maintain a neutral micro niche in an acidic environment. The first acidotolerant sulphate-reducing bacteria have been isolated recently.