1. Arsenite oxidation and arsenate respiration by a new Thermus isolate.
- Author
-
Gihring TM and Banfield JF
- Subjects
- Aerobiosis, Anaerobiosis, DNA, Ribosomal analysis, Fresh Water chemistry, Hot Temperature, Oxidation-Reduction, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Thermus classification, Thermus genetics, Arsenates metabolism, Arsenites metabolism, Fresh Water microbiology, Thermus isolation & purification, Thermus metabolism
- Abstract
A new microbial strain was isolated from an arsenic-rich terrestrial geothermal environment. The isolate, designated HR13, was identified as a Thermus species based on 16S rDNA phylogenetic relationships and close sequence similarity within the Thermus genus. Under aerobic conditions, Thermus HR13 was capable of rapidly oxidizing inorganic As(III) to As(V). As(III) was oxidized at a rate approximately 100-fold greater than abiotic rates. Metabolic energy was not gained from the oxidation reaction. In the absence of oxygen, Thermus HR13 grew by As(V) respiration coupled with lactate oxidation. The ability to oxidize and reduce arsenic has not been previously described within the Thermus genus.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF