Microbial community and biochemistry process in autosulfurotrophic denitrifying biofilm

The 16S rDNA-based molecular technique was applied to analyze the microbial community of autotrophic denitrification bacteria in a biofilm developed on the surface of sulfur particles and then the biochemistry process involved in this biofilm was discussed based on the microbial community analysis. Six key operational taxonomy units were identified, which were all unknown species belonging to a wide range of bacteria from four major subdivisions (α, β, γ and δ) of the kingdom Proteobacteria and from the kingdom Chlorobia (green sulfur bacteria). One species was chemoautotrophic and related to Thiobacillus denitrificans, two species were photoautotrophic, and three were chemoheterotrophic. Contrary to expectation, T. denitrificans-like bacteria constituted only 32% of the microbial community. As a result of the study, the entire microbiology of the autosulfurotrophic denitrification process as well as the interactions between the different microbial groups in the biofilm may need to be reconsidered.