| biodiversity and geochemistry of an extremely acidic, low-temperature subterranean environment sustained by chemolithotrophy. | the geochemical dynamics and composition of microbial communities within a low-temperature (ôê+8.5-¦c), long-abandoned (>ôçâ90 years) underground pyrite mine (cae coch, located in north wales) were investigated. surface water percolating through fractures in the residual pyrite ore body that forms the roof of the mine becomes extremely acidic and iron-enriched due to microbially accelerated oxidative dissolution of the sulfide mineral. water droplets on the mine roof were found to host a very li ... | 2011 | 21382147 |