Multiple choice

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is the weathering of rocks caused by acids. Which of the following bacteria is involved in acid rock drainage?

  1. Chromtiacceae

  2. Chlorobiaceae

  3. Thiomicrospira

  4. Desulfovibrio

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Thiomicrospira produces sulphuric acid (hydrogen ions, H+ and sulphate ions, SO4--) as a metabolic product. This bacterium is involved in acid rock damage from pyritic and pyrrhotitic rocks under appropriate conditions.