Two new species of hydrogen bacteria, Arthrobacter crygenae Z-0036 and
Acidovorax psychrofacilis Z-0064, were isolated from tundra soil in t
he polar Ural region. Under psychrophilic conditions, at temperatures
below 15 degrees C, these bacteria can actively utilize H-2 as well as
the fermentation products dissipating from the anaerobic decompositio
n zone. Hydrogen bacteria are typical representatives of the bacterial
filter preventing the emission of gases into the atmosphere in the pe
rmafrost zone.