THE CHEMOLITHOTROPHIC BACTERIUM THIOBACILLUS-FERROOXIDANS

The iron-oxidizing bacterium Thiobacillus ferroaxidans is the most imp ortant microorganism in mineral leaching. It plays the dominant role i n bioextractive processes because of its ability to oxidize both iron and reduced sulfur compounds. T. ferrooxidans is also an important mic roorganism in acid rock/mine drainage, a serious environmental problem . In this article, the current status of this bacterium is described w ith particular emphasis on the biomining industry.