Chemolithoautotrophic Bacteria : Biochemistry and Environmental Biology

Included are recent findings regarding the oxidation mechanisms of ammonia, nitrite, sulfur compounds, and ferrous iron by special bacteria. Applications of bacteria, such as in sewage treatment and in biohydometallurgy, among others, are detailed, and bacteria considered closest to the origins of life are discussed in the final chapter.

Preface Abbreviations 1 General Considerations 1.1 Chemoheterotrophic Bacteria 1.2 Chemolithoautotrophic Bacteria 2 Cytochromes 2.1 Hemes 2.2 Kinds of Cytochromes 3 Nitrogen Circulation on Earth and Bacteria 3.1 Bacterial Nitrifi cation 3.2 Applications of Nitrifying Bacteria 3.3 Interaction Between Ammonia-Oxidizing and Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria 3.4 Reduction of Nitrate and Nitrogen Gas 4 Sulfur Circulation on Earth and Bacteria 4.1 Bacteria Forming Hydrogen Sulfide 4.2 Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria 5 Oxidation and Reduction of Iron by Bacteria 5.1 Bacteria That Oxidize or Reduce Iron 5.2 Applications of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria 5.3 Upheaval of House Foundations: Damage Caused by Bacteria 6 Carbon Circulation on Earth and Microorganisms 6.1 Mechanisms of Formation of Organic Compounds from Carbon Dioxide 6.2 Methanogens 6.3 Bacteria Utilizing Carbon Monoxide 7 Organisms Evolutionarily Closest to the Origin of Life 7.1 Archaea and Their Energy-Acquiring Reactions 7.2 Biological Evolution at Earlier Stages References Index