The use of the sulfur cycle for the removal of metals and S-compounds
The competition between sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea has been studied previously in different ecosystems, e.g. anaerobic wastewater systems, sediments and pure cultures. However, these interactions are still not completely understood.
Biological desulfurisation of hydrocarbon waste streams with sulfate and elemental sulfur as end product is an interesting alternative for physicochemical removal. The possibilities for anaerobic biodegradation of volatile organic sulfur compounds are investigated. Different techniques, e.g., pure culture studies, (mixed population) fermentor studies, and molecular ecological methods, are used to study the interactions between different groups of bacteria.
Microbial interactions in marine anoxic sediments: competition or teamwork?