Bacteria chemoorganotrophic

In a system defined by wastewater in a sewer network, the heterotrophic bacteria dominate the microbial community, i.e., organic compounds are required as a carbon source. Furthermore, the energy source (electron donor) for the heterotrophs is primarily also organic compounds, i.e., the heterotrophs that dominate wastewater in sewers are chemoheterotrophic (chemoorganotrophic) microorganisms. 

Krumbein, W.E., 1979. Photolithotrophic and chemoorganotrophic activity of bacteria and algae as related to beachrock formation and degradation.(Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai). Geomicrobiol. J., in press. 

The phylogenetic tree of bacteria (Fig. 2) consists of twelve distinct groups (phyla) of which that of the purple bacteria is the largest. Although most are phototrophic, chemoorganotrophic and chemolithotrophic forms exist as well. It is likely that the ancestor of the purple bacteria was phototrophic although... 

Calcification by bacteria. Lime-water application seems not to guarantee sufficient consolidation. Precipitation of calcite by microorganisms is known to occur in freshwater and marine environments, as well as in soil, and this led to trials of bioremediation on heritage surfaces. Very recently, approaches using calcification due to bacterial activity have even been carried out particularly on stone and architectural surfaces (see page 236). Remediation by several bacteria was shown to result in the formation of newly developed calcite precipitations. For this, chemoorganotrophic bacteria, as well as nutrients, were supplied to the surfaces. Up to now the role of bacteria is not completely understood, however, studies on marine bacteria revealed three main mechanisms (i) calcium-binding membrane proteins, (ii) ionophores, and (iii) extracellular materials on cell surface. 

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