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==Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator==
==Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator==
[[File:Desulforudis audaxviator.jpg |Frame|300px|Caption Figure 1: This Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium displays a rod-like shape, and the endospore protein coat can be easily seen. The tail-like structure is called a flagellum, and allows the bacterium to move. ]]
[[File:Desulforudis audaxviator.jpg |frame|300px|caption Figure 1: This Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium displays a rod-like shape, and the endospore protein coat can be easily seen. The tail-like structure is called a flagellum, and allows the bacterium to move.]]


Disvorerd in 2008, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator lives independently of any other organism in its habitat which lies 2.8km below the surface of the Mponeng Mine in South Africa. The sun does not contribute to this microbe's energy production. Instead, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator creates its energy through the reduction of Sulphate and with the help of excess hydrogen when radiation from uranium minerals breaks down water molecules. As seen in figure 1, this Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium is rod-shaped, encapsulates itself in a protective coating known as an endospore, and has a flagellum which allows movement.
Disvorerd in 2008, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator lives independently of any other organism in its habitat which lies 2.8km below the surface of the Mponeng Mine in South Africa. The sun does not contribute to this microbe's energy production. Instead, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator creates its energy through the reduction of Sulphate and with the help of excess hydrogen when radiation from uranium minerals breaks down water molecules. As seen in figure 1, this Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium is rod-shaped, encapsulates itself in a protective coating known as an endospore, and has a flagellum which allows movement.

Revision as of 19:49, 13 June 2020

Microbes of the South African Gold Mines

Overview

The gold mines of South Africa, specifically the Mponeng mine, host a number of unique microbial species that display resilience to extreme environments. This site hosts the deepest excavations in the world. These mines run over 2.5 miles below the Earth's surface, allowing a detailed exploration of subsurface sediments and microbes. While there is still much to discover in the subsurface, current findings show a high degree of archaeal diversity and one particular species of bacteria of interest.

Description of the Mines

Mponeng Gold mine was the site where extremophile Desulforudis audaxviator was discovered. Far below the surface, water runs through cracks in the bedrock. It was here that this unusual microbe was found. The environment this far below the surface is harsh; the temperature as high as 60 degrees Celsius can be seen as well as an environmental pH of 9.3. Four other mines in South Africa were used to take stock of the Archaeal diversity: East and West Driefontein along with the Kloof Mines form a group of complexes on the West Rand. These West Rand mines have similar rock composition and stratigraphy. As one ventures deeper, Pretoria Group sandstone gives way to Transvaal dolomites, and then moves into Ventersdorp Supergroup volcanic strata and Witwatersrand Supergroup quartzites and carbonaceous gold-bearing reef horizons. The fourth mine, Beatrix Mine, does not have dolomite and Ventersdorp sequences. Temperature gradients at these four sites varied but correlated to the amount of water flowing through the fractures along the dyke.

Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator

caption Figure 1: This Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium displays a rod-like shape, and the endospore protein coat can be easily seen. The tail-like structure is called a flagellum, and allows the bacterium to move.

Disvorerd in 2008, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator lives independently of any other organism in its habitat which lies 2.8km below the surface of the Mponeng Mine in South Africa. The sun does not contribute to this microbe's energy production. Instead, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator creates its energy through the reduction of Sulphate and with the help of excess hydrogen when radiation from uranium minerals breaks down water molecules. As seen in figure 1, this Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator bacterium is rod-shaped, encapsulates itself in a protective coating known as an endospore, and has a flagellum which allows movement.

Hadesarchaea

caption

Microbial Ecology

Conclusion