Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Pyritic Sediments in Antarctica

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Barghoorn, Elso S., Nichols, Robert L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1961
• Subjects: McMurdo Sound; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.134.3473.190; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.134.3473.190

Black lacustrine and marine sediments occur in the McMurdo Sound region of Antarctica. The black color is due to the presence of iron sulfide, precipitated by sulfate-reducing bacteria ( Desulfovibrio ) in the presence of decaying organic matter of algal origin. Viability of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the sediments was demonstrated in the laboratory by culturing in anaerobic liquid media. It is probable that sulfate-reducing bacteria are widely distributed in Antarctica.