Acidihalobacter: Novel Halotolerant Iron- and Sulfur-oxidizing Acidophiles with Potential for Saline Water Bioleaching

Abstract

Members of the Acidihalobacter genus are halotolerant, iron- and sulfur-oxidizing acidophiles that have potential in saline water bioleaching in areas where waters and ores contain high levels of chloride ion. In this study, the characterization and classification of novel members of the Acidihalobacter genus was undertaken in order to gain a better understanding of the metabolic processes and stress tolerance mechanisms these unique microorganisms use in order to survive acid and salt stress simultaneously.