| OBSERVATION'S |
The archaeon, which is able to grow at pH 0, is the dominant microorganism in the subsurface environment the team investigated, accounting for < 85% of the resident microbial community. The organism lacks a cell wall, a feature that may be related to its ability to tolerate extremely acidic conditions.
The researchers believe it contributes to acid mine drainage by regenerating Fe(III), the primary oxidant at low pH in the process by which pyrite (FeS2) is converted to SO4H2 & water
- FeS2 + 14Fe(III) + 8H2O = 15Fe(II) + 2SO4(II) + 16H(I)
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