Moessbauer study of formation of iron oxides and carbonate by dissimilatory alkaliphilic bacterium

The process of amorphous Fe(III)-hydroxide (AFH) reduction by anaerobic alkaliphilic bacterium - Geoalkalibacter ferrihydriticus (strain Z-0531) was investigated by Moessbauer spectroscopy methods. Strain Z-0531 was isolated from the sediments of soda Lake Khadyn (Tuva, Russian Federation). The influence of AFH concentration and the concentration of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate added to the cultivation medium as well as the incubation time influence on the reducing process were studied. It was found that increase in the time of cultivation of bacteria led to an increase in the relative content of phases containing ferrous atoms that could be explained by the adaptation of bacterium to the cultivation medium.