Phylogeny of microorganisms populating a thick, subaerial, predominantly lithotrophic biofilm at an extreme acid mine drainage site.

ABSTRACT: An unusually thick ( approximately 1 cm) slime developed on a slump of finely disseminated pyrite ore within an extreme acid mine drainage site at Iron Mountain, near Redding, Calif. The slime was studied over the period of 1 year. The subaerial form of the slime distinguished it from more typical submerged streamers. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed a diversity of sequences that were mostly novel. Nearest relatives to the majority of sequences came from iron-oxidizing acidophiles, and it appears that iron oxidation is the predominant metabolic characteristic of the organisms in the slime. The most abundant of the 16S rRNA genes detected were from organisms related to Leptospirillum species. The dominant sequence (71% of clones) may represent a new genus. Sequences within t

SUBMITTER: Bond PL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC92229 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature