pH gradient-induced heterogeneity of Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in coal mining-associated lake sediments
- University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth (Germany)
Lakes formed because of coal mining are characterized by low pH and high concentrations of Fe(II) and sulfate. The anoxic sediment is often separated into an upper acidic zone (pH 3; zone 1) with large amounts of reactive iron and a deeper slightly acidic zone (pH 5.5; zone III) with smaller amounts of iron. In this study, the impact of pH on the Fe(III)-reducing activities in both of these sediment zones was investigated, and molecular analyses that elucidated the sediment microbial diversity were performed. The results demonstrated that the upper acidic sediment was inhabited by acidophiles or moderate acidophiles which can also reduce Fe(III) under slightly acidic conditions. The majority of Fe(III) reducers inhabiting the slightly acidic sediment had only minor capacities to be active under acidic conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 21017249
- Journal Information:
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 74, Issue 4; ISSN 0099-2240
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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