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Extremophilic Patagonian Microorganisms Working in Biomining

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Biology and Biotechnology of Patagonian Microorganisms

Abstract

The microorganisms known as extremophiles have become a powerful tool in the field of biotechnology. Among them, acidophilic and thermophilic microorganisms capable of oxidizing iron(II) or sulfur compounds are very important in ore-processing operations as they are able to enhance the dissolution of sulfide ores. The aim of this chapter is to describe the physiological and phylogenetic characteristics of the main acidophilic species and communities found in geothermal and mining environments in Neuquén Province, Patagonia Argentina, and the advances done by our research group in their application to biomining and bioremediation of heavy metals. Additionally, the chapter includes the description of a novel thermoacidophilic archaeon from the genus Acidianus (Acidianus copahuensis) autochthonous of the Copahue geothermal area isolated and characterized by our research group.

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Acknowledgments

Our research work has been supported by Universidad Nacional del Comahue and CONICET grants. The authors are very grateful to Dr. Ana Monasterio from EPROTEN (Ente Provincial de Termas del Neuquén) for getting the permission to work in the CCG area and the management and technical staff of CORMINE (Corporación Minera del Neuquén S.E.P.) for their invaluable help. The authors thank Professors and staff from Asentamiento Universitario Zapala (Fac. Ingeniería, UNComahue) for assistance during sampling and conditioning of the mineral samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PROBIEN (CONICET, UNCo), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires 1400, 8300, Neuquén, Argentina

    Patricia Chiacchiarini, Laura Lavalle, Ricardo Ulloa & Alejandra Giaveno

  2. CINDEFI (CONICET-UNLP), Fac. Cs. Exactas, UNLP, Calle 47 y 115, La Plata, Argentina

    María Sofía Urbieta

  3. Industrial Fermentation Research and Development Center (CINDEFI), CONICET-UNLP, School of Science, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

    Edgardo Donati

Authors
  1. Patricia Chiacchiarini
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  2. Laura Lavalle
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  3. María Sofía Urbieta
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  4. Ricardo Ulloa
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  5. Edgardo Donati
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  6. Alejandra Giaveno
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra Giaveno .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Patagonian Institute for the Study of Continental Ecosystems (IPEEC-CENPAT), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina

    Nelda Lila Olivera

  2. Andean-Patagonian Institute for Biological and Geoenvironmental Technologies (IPATEC) CONICET, National University of Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina

    Diego Libkind

  3. Industrial Fermentation Research and Development Center (CINDEFI), CONICET-UNLP, School of Science National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

    Edgardo Donati

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Chiacchiarini, P., Lavalle, L., Urbieta, M.S., Ulloa, R., Donati, E., Giaveno, A. (2016). Extremophilic Patagonian Microorganisms Working in Biomining. In: Olivera, N., Libkind, D., Donati, E. (eds) Biology and Biotechnology of Patagonian Microorganisms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42801-7_12

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