The Sulphur and Iron Metabolism in Acidophilic Microbial Gelatinous Formations from an Auriferous Sulphides Mine from the South-West of Romania

This study concerns the iron and sulphur metabolism in the gelatinous formations found in the Kiesberg gallery which is a part of an old mine located in the South-West of Romania which was dug in the metamorphic rocks. The gelatinous formations from the Kiesberg mine represent a complex assemblage formed by 1. chemoautotrophic acidophilic microorganisms (water pH 2.8) and 2. by heterotrophic microorganisms. The oxidative metabolism of the chemolitotrophs is very intense, oxidizing from pyrite: 1. Fe2+ and has, as a result Fe(OH)3 which is deposited at the base of the gelatinous formations, 2. sulphur compounds from which important quantities of SO42-.