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Respiratory Sulfate Reduction

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Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Part of the book series: Biotechnology Handbooks ((BTHA,volume 8))

Abstract

In the microbial world the dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are unique in that they have the ability to utilize inorganic sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor. This respiratory process, occurring under anaerobic conditions, is conducted by SRB for the purpose of generating high energy compounds for biosynthetic reactions involved in their growth and maintenance. Because relatively large amounts of sulfate are required for this mode of life, a serious consequence resulting from the growth of sulfate reducers is the dissemination of massive quantities of hydrogen sulfide in their immediate vicinity. Because of the deleterious consequences that can result from the growth of sulfate reducers, microbiologists have been studying the physiology, biochemistry, and ecology of these microorganisms to learn how to control them in nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045, USA

    J. M. Akagi

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  1. J. M. Akagi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, USA

    Larry L. Barton

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© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Akagi, J.M. (1995). Respiratory Sulfate Reduction. In: Barton, L.L. (eds) Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria. Biotechnology Handbooks, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1582-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1582-5_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1584-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1582-5

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