Intermittent energy storage mechanisms of sulphide oxidising bacteria

Summary

Sulphide oxidising bacteria (SOB) can be used to remove sulphide from sulphidic waste streams in a so called biodesulphurisation process. During this process SOB use oxygen to oxidise sulphide to sulphur. Interestingly, after exposing SOB to intermittent aerobic and sulphidic conditions SOB learn to remove sulphide even before they are exposed to oxygen. It is hypothesised that SOB are able to store sulphidic compounds and/or electrons to bridge the gap between sulphide removal and oxygen consumption. In this thesis the anaerobic sulphide removal of SOB is investigated and different sulphide and energy storage mechanisms of SOB are postulated. Aside from being useful in further developing biological desulphurisation processes, let this thesis be a reminder: don’t underestimate the effect of intermittent conditions on the behaviour of micro-organisms.