Extreme bacteria survive using rare earth elements

Teams of researchers from the Radboud University in the Netherlands and the Max Plank institute in Germany have shown that bacteria living in some of the hottest and most acidic environments on earth incorporate rare earth elements into enzymes that allow them to digest methane – their only source of energy.

Rare earth elements have recently been a focus of economic and media attention due to their widespread use in technology from computers and mobile phones, to lasers and oil refineries. These elements can be relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust but are evenly distributed within it, making them very difficult to mine. Apparent shortages have recently led to stockpiling and rising prices.

Now though it seems that humans are not the only organism that place high value on rare earth elements. This study has shown for the first time that there are some microorganisms that use these elements to survive. These methanotrophic bacteria live in ‘mudpots’: pools of 50-60°C mud that can have the acidity of concentrated sulphuric acid.

Each bacterium houses enzyme molecules that it uses to break down methane to generate energy. Within each of these molecules is one atom of a rare earth element such as lanthanum or neodymium. Other bacteria use calcium in these enzymes, but it seems that in this environment – and potentially others such as the surface of leaves, where rare earth elements become highly concentrated – rare earth elements are a more efficient option.

Although it is unlikely that these bacteria will ever be an economically viable source of rare earths, they provide an interesting insight in to the adaptations life can make to survive in some of Earth’s harshest environments.

Read more at: http://www.mpg.de/7591932/rare-earths-bacteria