Biotechnology applied to mining of metals

The present review describes the advances achieved during the last two years in the application of biotechnological principles in the extraction of metals from ores and minerals. Despite the fact that this branch of science is very young and many details are yet to be understood, the microbes are applied at commercial levels especially for the extraction of copper and uranium from low-grade ores. The technique is far from being developed to its full potential and it is generally recognized to be a technology of the future. The studies involved are complex and multidisciplinary in nature.     

Effect of the Medium Composition and Cultivation Conditions on Sporulation in Chemolithotrophic Bacteria

The possibility of regulating endospore formation by changing cultivation conditions was for the first time shown in acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans type strain 1269 and the thermotolerant strain K1 formerly described as S. thermosulfidooxidans subsp. thermotolerans. Suppression of sporulation occurred when these strains were cultured in Manning's liquid medium with yeast extract. This medium was optimized by gradually reducing the concentrations of ferrous iron salts (the source of energy), phosphorous, nitrogen, and yeast extract and simultaneously increasing the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and manganese (the elements important for sporogenesis) to attain higher yields of endospores by strains 1269 and K1. As a result, a new medium A was proposed, in which, under aeration, the life cycle of the strains studied culminated in sporulation at a level of 45 and 60%, respectively, of the total cell number. In a series of additional tests, the growth temperature and medium pH were adjusted to obtain the maximum yield of endospores. The optimal ranges found were 40–50°C and pH 1.8–2.2 for strain 1269 and 35–40°C and pH 2.5–2.7 for strain K1. An even higher yield of endospores, amounting to 55 and 75% for strains 1269 and K1, respectively, was obtained when the above growth conditions were combined (growth on medium A at optimal temperatures and pH under static conditions). Our results suggest a new approach to optimizing sporulation by acidophilic chemolithotrophs, which consists in limiting the energy and nutrient sources and using temperature and pH values within the tolerance bounds of these cultures but outside their growth optimum ranges.     

Epibiotic Bacteria on Several Ciliates from Marine Sediments

ABSTRACT Bacterial epibionts were observed on the surface of the marine sediment ciliate Geleia fossata. Rod-shaped bacteria, from 2-10 X10³ per ciliate, were universally positioned in ciliated grooves, in apparent spatial association with dikinetids. SEM and TEM examination of the ciliates confirmed that a tight affiliation exists between the epibiotic bacteria and ciliate cortex infrastructures. These observations, as well as the distinct bacterial distribution pattern over ciliate surface, suggest that there is a close epibiont/host physiological integration. Epibiotic bacteria were also observed on the surfaces of other sediment ciliates from the genera Loxophyllum, Tracheloraphis, Geleia, Paraspathidium , and Cyclidium. These findings indicate that the bacterial/protozoa associations are widespread in the marine benthic environment. The potential benefits for both epibionts and their hosts are discussed.     

Activity of nitrifiers in relation to nitrogen nutrition of plants in natural ecosystems

Three aspects of the nitrate production in natural ecosystems are discussed,i.e. the population biology of nitrifying bacteria, the nitrate-producing activity of these organisms and the uptake of nitrate by higher plants. It is concluded that the three methods used in enumerating the nitrifying bacteria,i.e. the Most Probable Number method, the Fluorescent Antibody technique and the Potential Nitrification Rate, all have serious drawbacks and count different segments of the nitrifying populations.From the number of nitrifying bacteria no reliable estimate of the rate production can be obtained and also estimates that are made using field-incubation and¹⁵N–NH ₄ ⁺ techniques do not yield reliable data. Possibly the best results can be obtained using Schimel's method to estimate the actual nitrification rate using¹⁵N–NO ₃ ^– , but this method has still not been tested under different sets of soil conditions.From the nitrate reductase activity and the chemical composition of the plant a picture can be obtained of the quantities of nitrate and ammonium that have been taken up. However, it is shown that nitrate and ammonium are taken up in different proportions that they are produced. It is concluded that the various parameters have to be studied simultaneously, preferably in defined systems with plants, in which the participating organisms are known.     

Role of microorganisms in the weathering of minerals in building stone of historical buildings

Observations on inhabitation of building stone, particularly white stone, in historical buildings in the former Soviet Union, by chemolithotrophic, photolithotrophic, and heterotrophic bacteria and green algae are summarized. The roles of these organisms in the degradation of the stone is discussed. Observations on the attack of inorganic pigments in paints used in wall decorations of such buildings are also summarized.     

嗜中性微好氧铁氧化菌研究进展

在弱酸至近中性微氧条件下,嗜中性微好氧铁氧化菌能够通过依赖氧气的呼吸机制将二价亚铁氧化成三价铁,并获得生长所需能量。这一生物铁氧化过程的主要产物之一是无定形羟基氧化铁——一种异化铁还原作用(铁呼吸)的理想底物,故可加速铁元素在氧化还原分界层的地质循环。有关嗜中性微好氧铁氧化菌的记载可追溯到19世纪30年代,但对其生理、生态与系统发育学的研究自20世纪90年代中期才取得显著进展,主要得益于专性铁氧化菌新种、属的成功培养与分离。已知微好氧铁氧化菌广泛分布于弱酸及近中性富铁地下水、湿地和深海等环境,其参与调控的铁氧化过程对铁及其他元素(如碳、氮、磷、锰和砷等)的生物地球化学循环具有重要意义。这类古老微生物在金属成矿、地壳演变、全球气候变化及其它生源要素地球化学过程中的作用研究已逐渐受到关注,正成为地质与环境微生物学领域的研究热点。主要总结国外近15a对嗜中性微好氧铁氧化菌的研究进展,包括其代谢机理、种类和分布、生态学研究方法和技术、以及细菌铁氧化作用的实际应用和环境意义等,并对今后研究方向提出展望。     

Two membrane-bound b-type cytochromes in Nitrosomonas europaea

Abstract Membranes from Nitrosomonas europaea were found to contain two b -type cytochromes. One had an α-band centred at 562 nm and E _m,7=+ 155 mV; the other had an α-band maximum close to 558 nm and E _m,7=+ 40 mV. A b -type cytochrome ran at an apparent M _r of 32000 on lithium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels at 4°C.