嗜酸藻类研究进展

Research progress in acidophilic algae

摘要:

酸性矿山废水(acid mine drainage，AMD)是硫化矿物暴露于地表，与水、大气及微生物相互作用发生氧化性溶解而形成的，其pH通常在3.5以下，并含有高浓度的金属离子，危害十分严重。因为嗜酸原核生物可通过氧化硫化矿物获得能量，从而加速酸性矿山废水的形成过程，所以一直以来都是嗜酸微生物研究的焦点。但事实上，真核生物在酸性生态系统中往往发挥着更重要的作用。尤其是光合藻类，它们在很多酸性环境都是主要的初级生产者，对酸性矿山废水的演化和修复起着关键的推动作用。本文从嗜酸藻类的常见种类和生态分布、适应极端环境的生理机制以及它们在污染治理和工业生产中的应用3个方面，综述了该领域近30年来的研究进展，并以此为基础提出了将来需要着力加强的5个研究方向。

Abstract:

Acid mine drainage (AMD) refers to acidic water that forms when sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water. AMD is generally characterized by low pH (<3.5) and high concentration of metal ions, which is thus one of the most serious threats to nature. Acidophilic prokaryotes, especially the iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and archaea that catalyze the generation of AMD, have long been the focus of research on acidophilic microorganisms. However, microbial eukaryotes in AMD environments often play a more important role in acidic ecosystems. Acidophilic photosynthetic algae are the primary producers and can drive the evolution and remediation of AMD. In this review, we outlined the research in recent 30 years on taxonomy and ecological distribution of acidophilic algae, mechanisms for their adaptation to the extreme environments, and the application in pollution control and industrial production. Finally, we proposed the future research directions of acidophilic algae which need to be strengthened.