Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide by Thiobacilli.

It has been previously demonstrated that the chemoautotroph and facultative anaerobe, Thiobacillus denitrificans, may be cultured aerobically or anaerobically in batch and continuous reactors on H(2)S(g) under sulfide-limiting conditions. A process has been proposed for the removal of H(2)S from gases based on oxidation of H(2)S by T. denitrificans. Described here is a study of H(2)S oxidation by other Thiobacilli, the purpose of which has been to determine whether other Thiobacilli offer any advantages over T. denitrificans in the aerobic oxidation of H(2)S. Although four other species of Thiobacillus were found to grow on H(2)S as an energy source, none offer a clear advantage over T. denitrificans.