Reductive precipitation of gold by dissimilatory Fe(III)-Reducing Bacteriaand Archaea

Studies with a diversity of hyperthermophilic and mesophilic dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing Bacteria and Archaea demonstrated that some of these organ isms are capable of precipitating gold by reducing Au(III) to Au(0) with hy drogen as the electron donor. These studies suggest that models for the for mation of gold deposits in both hydrothermal and cooler environments should consider the possibility that dissimilatory metal-reducing microorganisms can reductively precipitate gold from solution.