Bacterial catalytic processes for transformation of metals.

Microorganisms actively participate in the transformation of metals and metalloids by various processes including adsorption, absorption, alkylation, oxidation and reduction reactions. Bacteria of the genera Thiobacillus and Sulfolobus have a chemolithotrophic mode of metabolism and catalyze various metal transformations. These bacteria are primarily involved in oxidation-reduction reactions of metals. Metal sulfides can be either directly oxidized by the microbes or oxidized by ferric iron, an end-product of microbial metabolism. These processes result in solubilization of iron, copper, molybdenum, uranium, and many other metals as well. Bacteria capable of these reactions are found, and they function in a variety of environments. Conditions which favor their growth are acidic pH (1.5 to 3.5) and temperatures which can be as high as 75 degrees C for Sulfolobus. The microbes have potential for mobilization of pollutants, or toxic elements, during resource extraction processes. In the absence of oxygen, iron, molybdenum and chromium may be reduced by microbes.