Association of Acidotolerant Cyanobacteria to Microbial Mats below pH 1 in Acidic Mineral Precipitates in Rio Tinto River in Spain.

ABSTRACT: This report describes acidic microbial mats containing cyanobacteria that are strongly associated to precipitated minerals in the source area of Río Tinto. Río Tinto (Huelva, Southwestern Spain) is an extreme acidic environment where iron and sulfur cycles play a fundamental role in sustaining the extremely low pH and the high concentration of heavy metals, while maintaining a high level of microbial diversity. These multi-layered mineral deposits are stable all year round and are characterized by a succession of thick greenish-blue and brownish layers mainly composed of natrojarosite. The temperature and absorbance above and below the mineral precipitates were followed and stable conditions were detected inside the mineral precipitates. Different methodologies, scanning and transmission e

SUBMITTER: Gomez F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11052175 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature