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A study of field drain ochre deposits. 2. The distribution of micro-organisms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. Ap Dbwi
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
D. B. Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
W. I. Kelso
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG

Summary

Sheathed filamentous bacteria, Leptothrix spp. and Gallionella spp., were observed in ochre samples from sites in England and Wales. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was found in acidic samples (pH < 4·0) and in ochre from drainage water of near neutral pH suggesting that it can contribute to ochre formation over a wide range of drainage water pH, Heterotrophic bacteria capable of growing in artificial media of low pH and complexdegrading heterotrophic bacteria were also isolated. Some ochre deposits could be described as either pyritic or filamentous but the majority of samples fell between these extremes and had various combinations of T. ferrooxidans, sheathed filamentous bacteria and other heterotrophic bacteria.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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