Re: How can we control 'SULPHITE REDUCING BACTERIA' ?

Sulphite reducing bacteria are generally photosynthetic bacteria that use
elemental sulfur as their reducing power. They are usually anaerobic and 
are frequenctly found in ponds, mud bogs etc. The stench they release is
of course sulfur.

Polluted lakes and streams, especially those with sewage pollution, are 
rich in organic material from the sewage. Many micro-organisms grow well on 
this organic waste, and their growth uses up the oxygen in the water, 
making the pond anaerobic. This then leads to good growth of the SRB's. 
Note that the SRB are not directly the ones degrading the organic material, 
but they grow well as a result of the oxygen depletion caused by growth of 
the other bugs. 

The SRB's really don't require much: a source of inorganic sulfur (which is 
found almost everywhere), some simple inorganic minerals, and lack of 
oxygen. Most bacteria have a pretty broad temperature range, but the 
precise temp range will vary with the specific organims. There are many SRB 
bacteria, some mesophilic and some thermophilic. Yes, they do need light, 
at least most of the ones you are likely find in a pond. There are other 
types that don't require light, but these are very strange bugs living in 
more inhospital and unusual climates.

The second part of your question regards their control. In most cases their 
growth is a secondary effect of organic pollution. Therefore controlling 
such pollution is the obvious (although not simple) solution. You won't be 
able to control the odor easily unless you just inhibit or reduce their 
growth. 

I would also guess that increasing the aeration in the water would also 
help. It you are talking about a waste water treatment plant, this might be 
possible, but if it is a natural pond then obviously this would not be easy 
to do. It would likely increase the rate of growth by other bacteria to 
remove excess organic matter and would diminish the abilty of the SRB's to 
survive by adding oxygen and therefore removing their anaerobic 
environment.

Best of luck

Michael Benedik
Department of Biochemistry
University of Houston
Houston Texas