Microbes Discovered in Hot Springs Breathe Both Oxygen and Sulfur

Microbes Discovered in Hot Springs Breathe Both Oxygen and Sulfur
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A newly discovered microbe, part of the Aquificales group found in a Yellowstone National Park hot spring, challenges a long-held biological assumption. A report from Earth.com reveals that this microbe can simultaneously use both oxygen and sulfur to produce energy.

The research, led by Lisa Keller of Montana State University, shows that this dual-breathing strategy gives the bacterium a significant advantage in fluctuating, low-oxygen environments like hot springs. The study found that when both oxygen and sulfur were available in a lab setting, the microbes grew faster and in greater numbers, indicating a boost from the combined energy pathways.

The researchers believe this hybrid strategy may be more common than previously thought, as similar genes and enzymes have been found in other microbes. This discovery could offer new insights into how ancient life forms adapted to the gradual oxygenation of early Earth’s atmosphere. The findings also have potential applications in modern technology, such as improving the efficiency of bioreactors and environmental cleanup processes.