Composition of physiological bacterial groups in thermal groundwaters of the Kuldur deposit (Amur oblast, Russian Far East)

Abstract

The research was focused on the distribution, composition, structure, numbers and diversity of predominant bacteria of different ecologo-trophic groups in the thermal groundwaters of the Kuldur deposit (Amur Oblast, the Russian Far East). The research results showed uneven distribution of bacteria of different physiological groups in the groundwaters as well as their low numbers. Thionic and iron-oxidizing bacteria predominated in all studied drill holes. Ammonium and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria were also numerous while Bacillus sp., Paenibacillus sp., Brevibacillus sp. were prevalent in the separated pure cultures