GEOMICROBIOLOGY OF SUBSURFACE MINE OF THE FORE-SUDETIC MONOCLINE

Abstract

The unique underground environment developed in the area of Fore-Sudetic Monocline as a result of mining activity. This environment is inhabited by bacteria, archaea and fungi. They are mainly lithobionts for which copper-bearing Kupferschiefer black shale is the source of carbon and energy as well as macro- and microelements. Among them, many interesting genera and species adapted to this unique environment were found. Particularly interesting are microbial communities that represent a variety of metabolic strategies: microorganisms using organic compounds (organoheterotrophs), utilizing only mineral compounds (chemolitoautotrophs), producing methane (methanogens) and degrading it (methanotrophs). Additionally, underground mines inhabit microorganisms resistant to heavy metals and high salinity. Microorganisms play an important role in the transformation of Kupferschiefer black shale, affecting its geochemical composition and physicochemical properties, and the groundwater chemistry. Microbial metabolic activity leads to biooxidation of fossil organic matter (including kerogen) and sulphide minerals. As a result of these processes a number of oxidized organic and inorganic compounds are formed. They are products of organic matter degradation, such as alcohols, organic acids, ketones and aldehydes as well as secondary inorganic compounds, including numerous biominerals (e.g. sulphates). Some of these compounds are mobilized to groundwater; some are immobilized in the form of sediments.