Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a type of bacteria that thrives in acidic environments and plays a key role in natural and industrial processes. It oxidizes iron and sulfur compounds, meaning it produces energy by converting these substances into forms like rust or sulfuric acid. This bacteria is important in mining, helping extract metals from ores, and also impacts environmental processes, such as the formation of acid mine drainage, which can affect water quality. Despite its simple appearance, it has a specialized metabolic ability to survive in extreme acidity and contribute to chemical transformations involving iron and sulfur.