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Acidithiobacillus

Acidithiobacillus is a genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligately acidophilic and chemolithoautotrophic bacteria within the class Acidithiobacillia of the phylum Pseudomonadota. These aerobic or facultatively anaerobic microorganisms derive energy from the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds such as elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, and sulfides, with some species also capable of oxidizing ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) to ferric iron (Fe³⁺), producing sulfuric acid as a byproduct. The genus currently comprises ten validly named species, including the type species A. thiooxidans and the extensively studied A. ferrooxidans, and is adapted to extreme environments with pH optima between 1 and 3 and temperatures typically ranging from 25–35°C.^[1]^[2]^[3] Members of Acidithiobacillus play crucial roles in the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur and iron, particularly in acidic habitats like acid mine drainage sites where they contribute to the acidification of water bodies by generating sulfuric acid through their metabolic activities. Industrially, these bacteria are harnessed in biomining processes, such as heap and tank leaching, to extract valuable metals like copper, gold, and uranium from low-grade sulfide ores, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pyrometallurgical methods. Their ability to tolerate high metal concentrations and extreme acidity makes them model organisms for studying microbial adaptation to harsh conditions and for biotechnological applications in metal recovery and bioremediation.^[4]

Taxonomy

Genus Overview

Acidithiobacillus is a genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria within the class Acidithiobacillia of the phylum Pseudomonadota, known for their obligate acidophilic and chemolithoautotrophic lifestyle.^[1] These bacteria derive energy from the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds, such as elemental sulfur and thiosulfate, while assimilating carbon dioxide through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle for autotrophic growth.^[4] They perform aerobic respiration, utilizing oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor.^[2] Originally classified under the genus Thiobacillus, species were reclassified into Acidithiobacillus in 2000 based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny and physiological characteristics, establishing it as a distinct genus of extreme acidophiles.^[5] Members of the genus are adapted to highly acidic environments, with optimal growth pH ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 and tolerance extending to pH 0.5, enabling survival in conditions lethal to most organisms.^[4] They exhibit mesophilic to moderately thermophilic growth, thriving across temperatures from 5°C to 52°C, with species-specific optima that reflect their ecological niches.^[1] These traits allow Acidithiobacillus species to inhabit both natural and anthropogenic acidic sites, including acid mine drainage systems and volcanic soils, where they contribute to sulfur cycling.^[6]

Species

The genus Acidithiobacillus encompasses 11 validly published species, primarily distinguished by their abilities to oxidize reduced sulfur compounds and/or ferrous iron under acidic conditions, with variations in temperature tolerance, pH optima, and metabolic capabilities. These species were formally described or reclassified between 1922 and 2024, reflecting ongoing taxonomic refinements within the Acidithiobacillaceae family. The type species is A. thiooxidans. The most recent species, A. acidisediminis, was validly published in 2024. The following table summarizes the recognized species, including their description years, type strains, etymologies, and key differentiating features such as substrate preferences and temperature optima:

Species	Year	Type Strain	Etymology	Key Features
A. thiooxidans	1922	ATCC 8085 (=DSM 1461)	L. fem. n. thio sulfur; L. part. adj. oxidans oxidizing (referring to sulfur oxidation)	Strict sulfur oxidizer; lacks iron oxidation capability; mesophilic (optimum 28–30°C); pH 1.0–5.0.
A. ferrooxidans	1947	ATCC 23270 (=DSM 583)	L. n. ferrum iron; L. part. adj. oxidans oxidizing (referring to iron oxidation)	Classic iron and sulfur oxidizer; mesophilic (optimum 30°C); pH 1.5–2.5; widely used in bioleaching.
A. albertensis	2001	DSM 14366 (=ATCC 35403)	N.L. masc. adj. albertensis of or pertaining to Alberta, Canada (isolation site)	Nitrogen-fixing sulfur oxidizer; moderate acidophile (optimum pH 3.0); mesophilic (optimum 25–30°C).
A. caldus	1989	ATCC 51756 (=DSM 8584)	L. masc. adj. caldus warm, hot (referring to thermotolerance)	Thermotolerant sulfur oxidizer; grows up to 45°C (optimum 40°C); pH 1.0–3.5; oxidizes tetrathionate.
A. ferrivorans	2009	DSM 17398 (=SS3)	L. n. ferrum iron; L. part. adj. vorans devouring (referring to iron consumption)	Psychrotolerant iron and sulfur oxidizer; grows at 4–35°C (optimum 28–33°C); pH 1.5–3.0; facultatively anaerobic.
A. cuprithermicus	2013	DSM 23866 (=SK53)	L. n. cuprum copper; Gr. masc. adj. thermicus heat-loving (referring to copper tolerance and thermophily)	Copper-tolerant thermophile; iron and sulfur oxidizer; optimum 40–45°C; pH 1.0–2.5; isolated from copper mine.
A. ferridurans	2013	JCM 18981 (= ATCC 33020)	L. n. ferrum iron; L. part. adj. durans enduring (referring to ferric iron reduction)	Ferric iron reducer and iron oxidizer; mesophilic (optimum 29°C); pH 1.5–2.5; hydrogen oxidizer.
A. ferriphilus	2016	M20 (= DSM 100412 = JCM 30830)	L. n. ferrum iron; Gr. masc. adj. philus loving (referring to iron affinity at low pH)	Iron oxidizer at low pH (optimum 1.3); mesophilic (optimum 30°C); sulfur oxidizer; facultatively anaerobic.
A. sulfuriphilus	2016	DSM 105150 (=CJ-2)	L. n. sulfur sulfur; Gr. masc. adj. philus loving (referring to sulfur specialization)	Sulfur specialist; mesophilic (optimum 25–28°C); pH 1.0–5.5, tolerates neutral pH up to 7.0.
A. ferrianus	2020	MGT (= DSM 107098 = JCM 33084)	L. n. ferrum iron; L. masc. adj. ferrianus iron-related (referring to iron metabolism)	Iron oxidizer; mesophilic (optimum 28–30°C); pH 1.5–3.0; capable of sulfur oxidation.
A. acidisediminis	2024	S30A2 (= CGMCC 1.17059 = KCTC 72580)	L. masc. adj. acidus sour; L. neut. n. sedimen sediment; N.L. gen. n. acidisediminis of an acidic sediment	Sulfur oxidizer (elemental sulfur, tetrathionate); no iron oxidation; mesophilic (optimum 38°C); pH 2.0–4.5 (optimum 2.5). ^[7]

These differentiators, such as A. caldus's elevated temperature tolerance compared to the mesophilic A. thiooxidans, enable niche adaptations within acidic ecosystems, though all share the genus-level trait of acidophily.

Phylogeny and Evolution

Phylogenetic Classification

Acidithiobacillus belongs to the phylum Pseudomonadota and the class Acidithiobacillia, a novel class erected based on whole-genome analyses that positioned it as a deep-branching lineage distinct from other proteobacterial classes.^[8] This classification reflects its separation from the broader Proteobacteria, now renamed Pseudomonadota, due to unique phylogenetic signals in multiprotein trees and genomic signatures.^[9] Historically, Acidithiobacillus species were classified within the Gammaproteobacteria as part of the Thiobacillus group, based on early 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. However, subsequent molecular studies revealed low 16S rRNA similarity (<92%) to other proteobacteria, along with distinct ribosomal proteins and metabolic gene clusters, leading to its reclassification into the standalone class Acidithiobacillia in 2013, with further validation through pangenomic approaches in 2021.^[9]^[8] These shifts were driven by evidence of its position outside recognized classes, supported by analyses showing it as a sister group to the Beta-, Gamma-, and Epsilonproteobacteria clade.^[8] Within the Acidithiobacillia, Acidithiobacillus forms a core genus alongside relatives like Thermithiobacillus, sharing acidophilic traits but diverging in iron-oxidation capabilities; it is ecologically associated with other acid-tolerant genera such as Acidiphilium, though phylogenetically deep-branching within Proteobacteria.^[8] Genomic features reinforcing this placement include compact genome sizes ranging from 2.3 to 3.6 Mb, G+C contents of 52–62 mol%, and the presence of ruBisCO genes (specifically form I, variant 2) enabling autotrophy, as identified in pangenome studies encompassing multiple species.^[8] Key investigations, including a 2017 molecular systematics analysis using ribosomal operons and multi-locus sequence typing, and a 2021 pangenome reconstruction revealing a shared core genome across Acidithiobacillia species, have solidified these phylogenetic boundaries.^[8]

Evolutionary History

The genus Acidithiobacillus is estimated to have originated from a most recent common ancestor approximately 800 million years ago, a timeframe that aligns with the emergence of oxygenated acidic environmental niches following the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). This period marked a significant increase in atmospheric oxygen levels, facilitating the development of aerobic metabolisms in extreme acidophiles and enabling the exploitation of reduced sulfur and iron compounds in acidic settings. The GOE, occurring around 2.4 billion years ago, set the stage for such niches by promoting the oxidative weathering of minerals, but the diversification of Acidithiobacillus lineages appears to have accelerated in the Neoproterozoic era as oxygen fluctuations created selective pressures for acid-tolerant, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria.^[10] Key evolutionary adaptations in Acidithiobacillus include the acquisition of genes for sulfur and iron oxidation primarily through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from distantly related bacteria, such as those in the genera Acidihalobacter, Thiobacillus, and Acidiferrobacter, which shared similar extreme habitats. In contrast, acid tolerance mechanisms, including proton pumps for pH homeostasis, were largely inherited vertically from ancestral Proteobacteria, providing a foundational resilience to low-pH environments. These adaptations were driven by intense selective pressures in acidic niches, where metal toxicity and nutrient scarcity favored the evolution of metal resistance and autotrophy; consequently, the genus diversified into iron-oxidizing lineages around 400–500 million years ago, coinciding with the Paleozoic expansion of terrestrial acidic ecosystems and increased mineral exposure. This divergence is exemplified by the replacement of multicopper oxidases with rusticyanin genes in iron-oxidizers via early HGT events, enhancing efficiency in ferrous iron metabolism.^[10]^[11]^[10] Genomic evidence from pangenome analyses underscores the role of gene flux in Acidithiobacillus evolution, revealing a core genome of about 11.5% shared across species, with roughly 67% accessory genes that facilitate niche-specific adaptations, such as enhanced metal resistance and metabolic versatility in acidic specialists. These accessory elements often reflect HGT-driven innovations, while the loss of non-essential genes in streamlined genomes of acidic specialists highlights reductive evolution under chronic low-pH stress, optimizing energy allocation for survival in oligotrophic environments. A 2021 phylogenomic study further illuminated these dynamics, quantifying elevated HGT rates in natural populations—particularly for acid resistance genes like potassium transporters acquired from other extremophiles—and emphasizing functional redundancy in proton expulsion systems as a buffer against environmental variability. Recent studies as of 2023 have expanded on these insights, revealing intraspecific divergence in A. ferrooxidans driven by gene loss and HGT for niche adaptation, as well as the role of insertion sequences in promoting genome plasticity and environmental resilience.^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]

Morphology and Physiology

Morphological Characteristics

_Acidithiobacillus species are Gram-negative, straight or slightly curved rods, typically measuring 0.5–1.0 μm in width and 1.0–2.5 μm in length, and they occur singly, in pairs, or in short chains depending on growth conditions.^[14]^[15]^[7] Most species exhibit motility via a monotrichous polar flagellum, enabling chemotaxis toward sulfur- or iron-containing substrates, though A. albertensis possesses a polar tuft of flagella.^[16]^[17]^[18] The cell envelope features a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane rich in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that confer stability in acidic environments; these bacteria produce no spores or capsules. Under phase-contrast microscopy, cells are readily visible, and in iron-rich media, ferric iron precipitation can encrust the cell surfaces. Variations include biofilm formation by A. ferrooxidans on solid substrates and heat-stable membrane adaptations in thermophiles such as A. caldus.^[19]^[20]^[21]^[22]

Physiological Traits

Acidithiobacillus species are obligate aerobes that derive energy through chemolithoautotrophy, primarily by oxidizing ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) to ferric iron (Fe³⁺) or reduced inorganic sulfur compounds such as elemental sulfur (S⁰) to sulfate (SO₄²⁻).^[23] The iron oxidation pathway in species like A. ferrooxidans involves the rus operon, which encodes key components such as rusticyanin and cytochromes for electron transfer to oxygen.^[23] Sulfur oxidation proceeds via multiple enzymatic steps that vary by species; for example, a truncated Sox system (lacking SoxCD; SoxXA, SoxYZ, SoxB) oxidizes thiosulfate to sulfate in species such as A. caldus and A. thiooxidans, while A. ferrooxidans employs alternative pathways like thiosulfate dehydrogenase—and Dsr-related proteins like DsrE facilitate sulfur trafficking in relevant species.^[24] Additional enzymes, such as sulfide:quinone reductase (Sqr), facilitate sulfide oxidation to elemental sulfur by transferring electrons to the quinone pool, while tetrathionate hydrolase (TetH) hydrolyzes tetrathionate to thiosulfate and elemental sulfur, optimizing activity at pH 3.0–4.0.^[4] These bacteria exhibit acidophilic growth across a broad pH range of 0.5–6.0, with optima typically between pH 1.5–3.0 depending on the species, enabling survival in extreme acidic environments.^[7] Temperature preferences vary, with most species being mesophilic and growing optimally at 28–35°C, while moderate thermophiles like A. caldus tolerate up to 52°C.^[25] Nutrient needs include essential trace metals such as copper and molybdenum, which serve as cofactors for enzymes involved in electron transport and oxidation reactions.^[23] Some species, including A. ferrooxidans, possess the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation via the nif gene cluster, allowing assimilation of atmospheric N₂ under nitrogen-limited conditions; certain strains can also utilize hydrogen (H₂) as an energy source.^[23] To cope with environmental stresses, Acidithiobacillus employs mechanisms like proton extrusion through P-type ATPases, which maintain internal pH homeostasis by pumping excess protons out of the cell.^[26] Heavy metal tolerance is achieved via metal efflux pumps, including resistance-nodulation-division (RND) transporters and P-type ATPases such as CopA, which actively export ions like copper from the cytoplasm to the periplasm, enabling growth in metal-contaminated settings.^[27]

Ecology and Applications

Natural Habitats

_Acidithiobacillus species primarily inhabit extreme acidic environments characterized by low pH values below 3 and elevated levels of sulfate and iron, such as acid mine drainage (AMD) sites, volcanic solfataras, and geothermal springs.^[28] These bacteria are well-adapted to conditions where elemental sulfur and metal sulfides are abundant, enabling their role in sulfur and iron oxidation processes that maintain the geochemical balance of these niches.^[29] Globally, Acidithiobacillus is widespread in mining-impacted regions, including the Iberian Pyrite Belt in Spain, where it thrives in the Rio Tinto river system at pH levels around 2 with high heavy metal loads.^[30] It is also present in natural acidic soils and hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone National Park, USA, where sulfur-oxidizing populations contribute to the acidic geochemistry of hot acid soils.^[31] Additional occurrences have been documented in geothermal areas like the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand and volcanic hot springs in St. Lucia, reflecting a broad distribution across sulfur-rich, acidic terrestrial ecosystems.^[29]^[32] These organisms tolerate abiotic factors including high concentrations of metals such as iron and copper up to 100 mM, which are common in their environments and support their chemolithoautotrophic lifestyle.^[33] In these settings, Acidithiobacillus forms consortia with other acidophiles like Leptospirillum species, enhancing collective iron and sulfur oxidation efficiency through complementary metabolic roles.^[34] Within low-pH biofilms, they dominate microbial communities and engage in syntrophic interactions, such as supplying ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to heterotrophic partners like Acidiphilium for organic matter degradation.^[35] Recent research on an Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strain isolated from Rio Tinto has revealed mechanisms of resilience to fluctuating pH, including upregulation of fatty acid synthesis for membrane reinforcement and ammonia secretion to locally neutralize acidity at pH 0.7, alongside inhibition of central metabolism below pH 1 to prevent cellular damage.^[36] These adaptations underscore their persistence in dynamic acidic habitats.

Industrial Applications in Bioleaching

Acidithiobacillus species, particularly A. ferrooxidans, play a central role in bioleaching, a hydrometallurgical process that employs microbial oxidation to solubilize metals from sulfide ores. In this process, bacteria oxidize ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) to ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and reduced sulfur compounds to sulfuric acid, facilitating the breakdown of minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), where ferric iron chemically attacks the mineral to release Cu²⁺ while sulfur is oxidized to sulfate. This enables the extraction of metals like copper (Cu), gold (Au), and uranium (U) from low-grade ores that are uneconomical for traditional smelting.^[37]^[23] A. ferrooxidans has been the dominant species in heap and dump leaching operations since the 1950s, initially applied in Chile for copper recovery from oxide and secondary sulfide ores. These methods involve stacking crushed ore into heaps and irrigating with acidified solutions containing the bacteria, allowing microbial activity to percolate through the pile and collect metal-rich pregnant leach solutions at the base. For thermophilic conditions, consortia including A. caldus are used to enhance sulfur oxidation at temperatures up to 45°C, improving efficiency in refractory ores.^[38]^[39] Commercial applications highlight the scalability of Acidithiobacillus-based bioleaching. At the Escondida mine in Chile, the world's largest copper producer, bioleaching has historically contributed significant amounts, such as approximately 180,000 tonnes annually in the 2010s, accounting for a significant portion of the site's total output of over 1 million tonnes. In Finland, the Talvivaara (now Terrafame) mine employs bioheap leaching for nickel extraction from polymetallic black schist ore, with planned or historical yields of about 29,600 tonnes of nickel, 55,100 tonnes of zinc, and 600 tonnes of cobalt per year, though actual production varies with market conditions, marking it as the only industrial-scale bioleaching operation for nickel.^[40]^[41]^[42] Recent advancements have refined these processes through better understanding of mechanisms and genetic modifications. A 2022 review detailed how extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by Acidithiobacillus facilitate mineral attachment and biofilm formation, enhancing oxidation rates by concentrating reactive species near the mineral surface. Genetic engineering efforts, such as overexpression of the rus operon in A. ferrooxidans, have boosted iron oxidation kinetics, leading to up to threefold increases in bioleaching rates for copper and other metals in experimental systems.^[37]^[43] Bioleaching with Acidithiobacillus achieves metal recovery rates of 70–90% for copper from low-grade ores, at costs 20–30% lower than smelting due to reduced energy and reagent needs, while being adaptable to ores as low as 0.4% copper content. This makes it particularly valuable for processing vast volumes of waste rock and tailings, supporting sustainable mining of critical metals.^[41]^[40]

Environmental Roles and Impacts

Acidithiobacillus species play a pivotal role in generating acid mine drainage (AMD) by catalyzing the oxidation of pyrite (FeS₂), which lowers water pH and mobilizes toxic metals such as arsenic and lead. The bacterium initiates this process through the reaction:

\text{FeS}_2 + 3.75\text{O}_2 + 3.5\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Fe(OH)}_3 + 2\text{SO}_4^{2-} + 4\text{H}^+

This acidification enhances the solubility of heavy metals, leading to widespread environmental contamination in mining-affected areas.^[44]^[45]^[46] In bioremediation efforts, Acidithiobacillus growth is often inhibited through in situ neutralization using limestone, which raises pH levels to suppress bacterial activity and precipitate metals. Conversely, certain strains like A. ferrivorans can be harnessed for enhanced heavy metal cleanup via Fe³⁺ reduction, converting soluble ferric iron to less mobile ferrous forms in contaminated sites. These approaches leverage the bacterium's physiology to mitigate AMD impacts while avoiding broad ecological disruption.^[47]^[48]^[49] Beyond AMD, Acidithiobacillus contributes positively to natural sulfur cycling in geothermal environments, where it oxidizes reduced sulfur compounds, facilitating nutrient turnover in extreme acidic hot springs. It also shows promise in wastewater treatment by removing sulfides through oxidation to sulfate or elemental sulfur, reducing hydrogen sulfide emissions in anaerobic digesters. These roles underscore its ecological utility in sulfur biogeochemical cycles.^[25]^[50]^[51] However, unchecked Acidithiobacillus activity exacerbates ecosystem damage in mining regions, such as the Rio Tinto river basin, where persistent AMD toxicity from metal-laden acidic waters harms aquatic life and soil fertility. A 2024 study on Río Tinto fungi highlighted the site as an analogue for extraterrestrial environments and noted severe terrestrial pollution risks, including lower microbial diversity in extreme acidic areas. Ongoing research in 2025 continues to refine bioremediation protocols, including new prevention tools and treatment reviews. Mitigation strategies focus on biofilm control using inhibitors like (5Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-2(5H)-furanone, which disrupt A. ferrooxidans adhesion and reduce AMD production.^[52]^[53]^[54]

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... regions where water is generated by geothermal heating of subsurface ice deposits. The interaction of water with rocks would lead to the weathering of iron ...
[49]
Removal of H2S in Biogas: Biotrickling Filtration Desulfurization
Jul 1, 2022 · The removal of high concentrations of H2S in biogas was accomplished by the BTF process with SOB (Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans), which is ...
[50]
Acid mine drainage pollution in the Tinto and Odiel rivers (Iberian ...
Besides, toxicity and bioaccumulation tests with the sediments of the estuary have been conducted in order to measure the mobility of the toxic metals. Results ...Missing: Acidithiobacillus damage
[51]
Metal tolerance of Río Tinto fungi - Frontiers
Oct 15, 2024 · Southwest Spain's Río Tinto is a stressful acidic microbial habitat with a noticeably high concentration of toxic heavy metals.
[52]
The use of (5Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-2(5H)-furanone for ...
The aim of this study was to determine whether acid mine drainage (AMD) production can be decreased by (5Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-2(5H)-furanone ...