Pyrobaculum aerophilum sp. nov., a novel nitrate-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeum

A new rod-shaped hyperthermophilic archaeum, isolated from hot marine water, was found to grow best at 100 degrees centigrade and pH 7.0 by aerobic respiration and dissimilatory nitrate reduction. Its final product was revealed to be dinitrogen. The organism used organic and inorganic substances as substrates in the course of aerobic and anaerobic respirations. Elemental sulfur was found to hinder growth. The novel isolate was seen to be closely related to the genus Pyrobaculum and has been named Pyrobaculum aerophilum.