Researchers describe the microbial biodiversity generated by mining activities

The vast majority of the microorganisms of environmental samples cannot be studied in a lab because we lack the exact methods required to propagate and cultivate them, making many of them remain unknown to science until now. Nevertheless, the recent development of molecular techniques such as the massive analysis of nucleid acids and proteins of these populations has offered the opportunity of describing in detail both their biological diversity on an individual level and the metabolical networks that these organism use and which allow them to live and prosper in such selective environments. One of the most interesting microbial habitats is that formed by acid waters (pH ≤ 2), rich in metals (aluminum, arsenic, lead and others), present in mining prospections, such as those formed around an old mercury mine (Los Rueldos) located in Mieres.

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