Abstract
The first demonstration that samples of lignite at a depth of 10 m are considerably enriched in bacteria is reported. According to direct microscopy, the abundance of bacteria was about 107 cells/g. About 70% of cells had intact cell membranes and small size, which points to their anabiotic state. The fungal mycelium length was no more than 1 m. Lignite inoculation onto solid glucose-yeast-peptone medium allowed as to isolate bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Rhodococcus, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Spirillum, and Cytophaga. Representatives of the genera Penicillium and Trichoderma were identified on Czapek medium. Moistening of lignite powder increased the microbial respiration rate and microbial and fungal abundance but did not increase their generic diversity. This finding suggests that the studied microorganisms are autochthonous to lignite.
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Original Russian Text © M.A. Bulankina, L.V. Lysak, D.G. Zvyagintsev, 2007, published in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Biologicheskaya, 2007, No. 2, pp. 239–243.
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Bulankina, M.A., Lysak, L.V. & Zvyagintsev, D.G. Lignite microorganisms. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 34, 194–197 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359007020124
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359007020124