Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Bioleaching; Biomining; Yilgarn Craton

Abstract

This thesis describes the isolation and characterization of a halophilic iron- oxidizing bacterium from sediments obtained from Lake Magic; an extremely acidic, saline lake located in Western Australia. The purpose for the isolation of novel, halotolerant/halophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria is to aid in metal-mining bioleaching operations. Currently used iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are extremely sensitive to chloride, which restricts their use in these industries.

A singular bacterial morphology was isolated from Lake Magic sediments that was roundly-rod shaped, 1-2 um in length, and stained Gram-negative. This organism was able to grow in a modified medium (DSM14174) using ferrous sulfate as an electron donor and atmospheric carbon dioxide as a carbon source. This organism grew faster in the presence of potassium tetrathionate and was unable to grow heterotrophically with glucose or use thiosulfate.

This organism could tolerate pH from 2-4 (optimum at 2), temperature from 20- 40℃ (optimum hypothesized at 40℃), and NaCl concentrations from 0.5% w/v to saturation (optimum between 0.5% w/v and 5% w/v). Further characterization and genome sequencing is required to fully identify this microorganism.

Advisor(s)

Mormile, Melanie R.

Committee Member(s)

Scharf, Andrea
Westenberg, David J.
Schroer, Hunter

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

M.S. in Applied and Environmental Biology

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2025

Pagination

x, 47 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 41-46)

Rights

© 2025 Connor Crites , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12534

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Included in

Microbiology Commons

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