Rock-Eating BacteriaNick Brozel and William Reynolds

Rocks Into Energy

There is a specific type of bacteria that “eats rock.”

This type of bacteria uses some minerals for its food source.

These little organisms break down the minerals through metabolism. They

produce other metal ores with sulfur in a process that is named bioleaching.

The bacteria consume small amounts of useless ore to produce very

valuable metals.

Bacteria Improvements

Scientists are working to make these bacteria increasingly better at

this “mining” technique.

This method of “mining” is becoming an important method to

obtaining minerals.

It is a much cheaper to use this self sufficient method rather than

smelting down ore.

Bacteria In Antarctica

Under a lake in Antarctica, researches have found a group of bacteria

that feed on minerals under the lake.

These bacteria use the minerals as their only food source.

This means they eat nothing organic and are supplied with energy by

nothing but inorganic compounds.

Overall Effect

These bacteria may not seem important, but show very important

uses. Our earth is running out of minerals, so being able to extract

copper and other minerals from otherwise useless rock will be very

beneficial.

The bacteria in Alaska show that it is possible for life to survive in

very harsh environments and that organic matter is not required for

all life.

Overall Effect

The bacteria show the possibility of living bacteria on Mars. The

conditions are good enough to house bacteria so it is possible that

the red planet has had bacteria living on it and may still have them

today.

Overall, these bacteria show exciting new ways of obtaining

resources and provide important information on the ability of bacteria

species’ survival in extremely harsh environments.

Sources

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/136967-Bacteria-Underneath-Antarctica-Eat-Rock-and-Sediment

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081105-bacteria-mining.html