Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle

Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur is a vital element in Earth's biogeochemical systems. It transitions through various inorganic states, including sulfate (SO₄²⁻), elemental sulfur (S⁰), and sulfide (S²⁻). Abiotic and biological mechanisms across oxic and anoxic environments intricately mediate these transformations. Sulfate, the most oxidized form of sulfur, is predominantly stored in rocks, marine sediments, and oceanic waters, acting as a long-term reservoir in the global sulfur cycle.In oxic environments,...

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...

Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to physical or...

Microbial Leaching

Microbial Leaching

Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.

Microbial Corrosion

Microbial Corrosion

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Retraction Note: SAR650984 directly induces multiple myeloma cell death via lysosomal-associated and apoptotic pathways, which is further enhanced by pomalidomide.

Leukemia·2024

Same author

Hypocalcemia and bone mineral density changes following denosumab treatment in end-stage renal disease patients: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2018

Same author

Editorial: patient-reported outcomes in chronic HCV-a PROMISing approach to an ongoing problem.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2018

Same author

Beta-blockers in hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and ascites: mortality and factors determining discontinuation and reinitiation.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2017

Same author

Chronic opioid use is associated with altered gut microbiota and predicts readmissions in patients with cirrhosis.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2016

Same author

Prevalence and Predictors of Alcohol Consumption among the Squatter of Kathmandu Valley.

Journal of Nepal Health Research Council·2016

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for Cu(II) Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis

Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for Cu(II) Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis

Published on: February 12, 2019

Microbial desulfurization of different coals.

C Acharya¹, R N Kar, L B Sukla

¹Department of Biomineral and Biotechnology, Regional Research Laboratory, CSIR, Bhubaneswar, 751 013, India. celin_s@yahoo.com

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

|August 12, 2004

Summary

Microbial desulfurization using Acidithiobacillus sp. effectively removed high sulfur content from Indian and Polish coal. Optimal conditions achieved over 90% sulfur removal from lignite, but less from Assam coal due to organic sulfur and jarosite precipitation.

More Related Videos

Reducing Willow Wood Fuel Emission by Low Temperature Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization

Reducing Willow Wood Fuel Emission by Low Temperature Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization

Published on: May 19, 2019

A Uniaxial Compression Experiment with CO2-Bearing Coal Using a Visualized and Constant-Volume Gas-Solid Coupling Test System

A Uniaxial Compression Experiment with CO₂-Bearing Coal Using a Visualized and Constant-Volume Gas-Solid Coupling Test System

Published on: June 12, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for Cu(II) Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis

Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for Cu(II) Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis

Published on: February 12, 2019

Reducing Willow Wood Fuel Emission by Low Temperature Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization

Reducing Willow Wood Fuel Emission by Low Temperature Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization

Published on: May 19, 2019

A Uniaxial Compression Experiment with CO2-Bearing Coal Using a Visualized and Constant-Volume Gas-Solid Coupling Test System

A Uniaxial Compression Experiment with CO₂-Bearing Coal Using a Visualized and Constant-Volume Gas-Solid Coupling Test System

Published on: June 12, 2019

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Microbiology
Geochemistry

Background:

Coal combustion releases sulfur dioxide, a major air pollutant.
High-sulfur coal presents significant environmental challenges in thermal power generation.
Microbial desulfurization offers a promising alternative for reducing sulfur emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the efficacy of microbial methods for removing sulfur from high-sulfur coal samples.
To optimize conditions for maximizing sulfur removal using Acidithiobacillus sp.
To analyze factors affecting desulfurization efficiency in different coal types.

Main Methods:

Desulfurization of three high-sulfur coal samples (Assam, Rajasthan, Poland) using indigenous Acidithiobacillus sp.
Optimization of parameters including initial pH, particle size, pulp density, incubation period, temperature, ferrous sulfate concentration, and agitation.
Photomicrographic studies to demonstrate sulfur removal.

Main Results:

Maximum total sulfur removal achieved: 91.87% for lignite, 63.13% for Polish coal, and 9.44% for Assam coal.
Optimal conditions identified: pH 1.5, 45-micron particle size, 2% pulp density, 30-day incubation at -35°C, 44.2 g/L ferrous sulfate, 140 rpm shaking.
Lower efficiency for Assam coal attributed to jarosite precipitation and high organic sulfur content.

Conclusions:

Microbial desulfurization with Acidithiobacillus sp. is effective for certain high-sulfur coals.
Coal characteristics, such as organic sulfur content and mineral precipitation, significantly impact microbial desulfurization efficiency.
Further research is needed to enhance sulfur removal from coals with challenging compositions.