The abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea (SRBA) is impressive and new isolates are being reported continuously. A few decades ago, only two genera of dissimilatory sulfate reducers had been identified and as of 2018, 92 genera containing more than 420 species of SRB and several species of archaea have been isolated. This book addresses the historical background of SRBA research and reviews the current status of research examining the growth of these anaerobic microorganisms. Additionally, this book covers metabolic and genomic diversity, enzymatic processes, response to stress, biocorrosion of ferrous metals, biogeochemical processes and interactions with other microorganisms in the anaerobic biosphere. It highlights the unique cellular and molecular features of these microorganisms, discusses the production and consumption of gases and reviews genomic content influencing their metabolic capabilities. Examples are provided of detoxification reactions to alleviate pollution situations, growth in in hostile environments including low nutrient availability, and the effects of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on human and animal hosts.

The sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) became a major research interest of Larry L. Barton (LB) following his position as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Harry D. Peck Jr at the University of Georgia (UGA). The research at UGA focused on energetics of SRB and included collaboration with Jean LeGall who maintained a laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at UGA. Following an academic position at Johns Hopkins University, LB became a member of the Biology Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM) where his laboratory focused on metabolism of transition elements and biodetoxification of heavy metal(loid)s including metabolism of selenium, immobilization of uranium and formation of metallic nanoparticles. Recently his interest has focused on the impact of intestinal SRB on animal activities. Over the years, LB published 35 review articles, 90 peer review articles, 12 books including two edited monographs of SRB, served as founding editor of the international journal Anaerobe, was the series editor of SpringerBriefs in Biometals and participated in the organization of numerous international symposia on biometals. While on sabbatical in the laboratory of Jean LeGall at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Marseille, France, LB established a collaboration with Guy Fauque and this collegial interaction resulted in publishing several reviews on metabolic activities of SRB.