A genus of bacteria that reduces sulfate compounds as part of their metabolism, found in oxygen-free environments like mud and sewage.
From de- (removal) + sulfur + vibrio (a genus name from Latin for 'to vibrate'). Named in the mid-20th century for their characteristic movement and ability to metabolize sulfur compounds.
Desulfovibrio bacteria are ancient chemical engineers that have been recycling sulfur for billions of years—they're essential to the sulfur cycle and can even be used to clean up oil spills and contaminated water!
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