Re: How do Thiobacillus utilize sulphur for energy?

A simple search on Netscape produced a whole listing of websites that focus 
on the study of T. ferrooxidans.


For a description, see http://www.mi
nes.edu/fs_home/jhoran/ch126/thiobaci.htm


For explanations on how these bacteria reduce the sulphur, see http://www.mi
nes.edu/fs_home/jhoran/ch126/microbia.htm

Other information can be learned from
 http://thiobacillus.allbio.org/


Basically, T. ferrooxidans is responsible for the oxidation of iron and 
inorganic sulfur compounds.  They catalyze the oxidation of FeS2, producing 
ferric ions and hydrogen ions. The chemical reactions required for this 
process are provided on the web pages listed above.  They use the sulfur 
for energy just as we use food (sugar) for energy, and their metabolism 
and genetic make-up are such that this is possible.