Exploration of sulfate reducing bacteria from polluted waters

Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) was successfully isolated from Estuary Dam in Suwung Denpasar, Indonesia. This estuary catches highly polluted water from Badung River which runs across and hence carries pollution due to waste disposal from Denpasar City. SRB was studied in detail for their ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide with organic material as an oxidizing agent. SRB exploration of the estuary ecosystem of the contaminated dam was accomplished through isolation, selection and characterization of the isolates obtained. The result of this study found superior SRB named DPS 1711, DPS 1705 and DPS 1703. The bacteria have the ability to grow at pH 3, room temperature and uses compost as organic substrate. This ability is an important factor for the application of isolates in the treatment of acid mine waste. Isolates have optimum optical density under the pH range of 4 to 7 and the best at pH 5 have a growth rate profile at a temperature range of 25 to 40°C. The isolates observed were Gram-negative stem, motile bacteria which only grow in anaerobic condition. Physiological-biochemical characterization showed the three isolates, namely DPS 1703, DPS 1705 and DPS 1711 were SRB groups identified as Desulfotomaculum orientis. Key words: Sulfate reducing bacteria, polluted waters, estuary dam ecosystem