Ivor and Olive Lewis on thu 4 nov 04
Dear Ron Roy,
Iron feeding Bacteria
I will come to your rescue.
Division: Protophyta.
Class : Schizomycetes.
Order : Pseudomonadales.
Sub Order : Pseudomonadineae.
May be pigmented but not Photosynthesiszers. Free Sulphur granules in
some and Ferric Hydroxide deposited in others. Examples are the
stalked "Iron" Bacteria such as Gallionella and sulphate reducers such
as Desulphovibrio.(I think this one metabolises Calcium Sulphate. If
Iron is present it may lead to the growth of Pyrites crystals)
For Gallionella, its colour is now regarded as being due to the
spontaneous conversion of ferrous iron to the ferric condition on
exposure to air, if water, pH and other conditions are appropriate
(Vines and Rees, 1969)
I grew up near a stream (creek) which contained vast quantities of
this stuff. Local Doctor bottled it and gave it to his patients as a
tonic, especially those with anaemia.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.
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