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Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans Bacteria in AMD

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Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is one of the acidophiles that play role and are important generators in Acid Mine Drainage. In AMD, acidophilic microorganisms survive in highly acidic environments and accelerate sulfide dissolution. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans prefer pH levels between 1.5 and 2.5 and they cannot survive in neutral pH environments. They are also chemolithoautotrophs; they make their own food out of inorganic compounds, which are from rocks.

A. ferrooxidans can be considered as “rock-eaters”. They aerobically respire using Fe3+ as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen and S- as the electron donor instead of glucose. They latch onto pyrite, and secrete an enzyme that dissolves it.

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  1. Coal Geological Materials Selby Hearth

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