Sulfur Cycle: Microbial Processes and Energy Conservation

This lecture delves into the intricate microbial processes involved in the sulfur cycle, focusing on sulfate reduction, acetogenesis, and methane cycling. It explores the key enzymes and proteins responsible for energy conservation in these processes, such as APS reductase and hydrogenase. The lecture also discusses the role of sulfate-reducing bacteria in corrosion and the challenges of dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Furthermore, it examines autotrophic sulfate reduction and the metabolic pathways used by different groups of bacteria. Overall, the lecture provides a detailed insight into how microorganisms drive the sulfur cycle and conserve energy through various biochemical mechanisms.