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My adopted Bacterium is the metal eating Halomonas titanicae. I picked this bacterium as it is newly discovered in the ocean and can benefit ocean life by aiding in research of disposal of metal waste and protection from off shore oil rigs. I believe in protecting our oceans and that microbiology and biochemistry can play a major role in doing so.
Rusticles are formed by the Halomonas titanicae
These are gram-negative bacillus that were discovered in 2010. The strain was isolated from rusticles obtained from the wreck of the Titanic, which explains the name. These microbes are halophiles, meaning that they like environments with high salt concentration, and metal is their main source of energy. They have a strong preference for iron, and they derive their energy from iron rust, which is the main reason for their effect on the Titanic. The microbe is motile, due to the presence of a flagella. They are usually colorless or have a yellowish tint. H. titanicae are non-endospore-forming microbes and are also known as “steel-munching bacteria”.
The metal-munching bacteria found on the famous wreck may help teach engineers how to protect deep-sea oil rigs, experts say.
How can this discovery aid scientists?
How can technology benefit? Rusticles are porous and allow water to pass through; they are rather delicate and will eventually disintegrate into fine powder. "It's a natural process, recycling the iron and returning it to nature," Mann said. While the disintegration of the Titanic makes preservation of the ship impossible, the bacteria doing the damage may be useful in accelerating the disposal of other old ships and oil rigs. Further, it could also help scientists develop paints or protective coatings to guard against the bacteria for working vessels.
As it is a new species not much is known about it and only a few uses has been identified but also since it is a new species the knowledge it provides opens a door of unless possibilities
