Abstract
Bacteria which deposit sulphur, either within or outside the cell, are supposed to derive this substance from the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide (Winogradsky, 1 Buder 2 ). This hydrogen sulphide is supposedly the source of energy of these autotrophonts.
In an investigation of the external and internal milieu of the sulphur bacteria (to be published elsewhere) the author has investigated mass cultures of the following nine genera:
Thiorhodaceae: Thiospirillum, Chromatium, Rhabdochromatium, Amoebobacter. Thiopedia, Thiopolycoccus, Lamprocystis.
Thioleucaceae: Beggiatoa, Thiothrix.
Among other points it was noted that the organisms occurred exclusively in alkaline waters (pH 7.6-8.6) either fresh water, seawater or brine.
As H2S is a weak acid it will undergo hydrolytic dissociation in aqueous medium, and this dissociation will progress with a decrease in [H+]. We will have:
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