ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMOPHILIC BACTERIA FROM A MINE FIRE FIELD

It is uncommon for living organisms to grow and survive in intense heat environments. Mine fires create new, intense heat environments and it is reasonable to suppose that local bacteria, with rapid generation times, may adapt to the new environment, or that thermophilic bacteria from elsewhere may colonize it.

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if thermophilic bacteria have established themselves in the Centralia mine fire field. A quick and easy method for isolating and partially characterizing such bacteria was developed by the author and his team. Soil samples were collected from areas around vents from the mine fire. These samples were grown at high temperatures in liquid broth. Bacteria from the samples were isolated by standard techniques, gram stained, and examined microscopically. Each strain was then grown at seven different temperatures, over a thirty degree Celsius range, in order to determine its optimum temperature. Bacterial growth was measured spectrophotometrically.

Analyses of the samples indicate that at least two different species of thermophilic bacteria have colonized the Centralia mine fire field.