Desulfovibrio bacteria are linked to sulfur cycling, biofilms, metal corrosion and even magnetic navigation. These Gram-negative, anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria are interesting because they can gain energy from sulfate respiration.
Instead of using oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor, they can use sulfate under anaerobic conditions. During this process, they reduce sulfate and produce hydrogen sulfide. In marine environments, this metabolism connects Desulfovibrio to a larger microbial sulfur cycle. Sulfate-reducing bacteria produce reduced sulfur compounds, while sulfur-oxidising bacteria consume them.
In wet, warm and anaerobic environments, such as water systems, pipelines, steel sheet piling, quays, harbours and jetties, this metabolic activity can become a problem. On these metal surfaces, Desulfovibrio vulgaris can form biofilms, which can lead to microbially influenced corrosion, or biocorrosion. By breathing metals, they damage the surface and release toxic ions into the environment.
The genus also has a magnetic example: Desulfovibrio magneticus is a magnetotactic bacterium that contains magnetosomes. These membrane-bound organelles with magnetic mineral crystals can align with Earth’s magnetic field lines. This helps Desulfovibrio magneticus navigate in aquatic habitats and swim towards North or South to find suitable conditions.
Learn in these articles how Desulfovibrio can reshape the chemistry, surfaces and physical navigation of their microscopic world.
Magnetotactic bacteria have magnetosomes with which they can sense magnetic field lines. This allows magnetotactic bacteria to swim towards North or South to find the perfect location in the deep and dark water.
To protect themselves from the environment, bacteria build shielding biofilms houses. But once such a house gets old, bacteria need to break out it. For that, bacteria produce special scissors that can break biofilms and set free the bacteria.