Thermophilic, Aerobic, Hydrogen-Oxidizing (Knallgas) Bacteria

Abstract

Geothermal fluids and gases often contain significant concentrations of molecular hydrogen (≥1% v/v). This suggests that hot springs and other geothermal manifestations might harbor thermophilic, aerobic, hydrogen-oxidizing (Knallgas) bacteria. It is therefore surprising how few attempts were made before 1980 to isolate thermophilic hydrogen bacteria from these environments (Goto et al., 1977), although they were found in cold nongeothermal habitats (McGee et al., 1967; Emnova and Romanova, 1977; Aragno, 1978; Schenk and Aragno, 1979).