Acidithiobacillus | |
---|---|
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
Class: | Acidithiobacillia |
Order: | Acidithiobacillales |
Family: | Acidithiobacillaceae |
Genus: | Acidithiobacillus |
Species | |
Acidithiobacillus albertensis |
Acidithiobacillus is a genus of the Acidithiobacillia in the phylum "Pseudomonadota". This genus includes ten species of acidophilic microorganisms capable of sulfur and/or iron oxidation: Acidithiobacillus albertensis, Acidithiobacillus caldus, Acidithiobacillus cuprithermicus, Acidithiobacillus ferrianus, Acidithiobacillus ferridurans, Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus, Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus sulfuriphilus, and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans.[1] A. ferooxidans is the most widely studied of the genus, but A. caldus and A. thiooxidans are also significant in research. Like all "Pseudomonadota", Acidithiobacillus spp. are Gram-negative and non-spore forming.[2] They also play a significant role in the generation of acid mine drainage; a major global environmental challenge within the mining industry.[3] Some species of Acidithiobacillus are utilized in bioleaching and biomining.[4] A portion of the genes that support the survival of these bacteria in acidic environments are presumed to have been obtained by horizontal gene transfer.[5]