« »
Kasbek detail
KASBEK (detail), 2017
glass, steel, pyrite, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans), plastic tubes, measurement and control technology, 260 x 100 x 75 cm
biotechnological realisation: Thomas Pümpel, Anna Arthofer, Christian Ebner, Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck

Chemolithoautotrophic bacteria (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) feed on iron and sulfur (pyrite) in a bioreactor. Their metabolism produces sulfuric acid, which they release into the surrounding water. The acidic water flows through the tubing into the marble sculpture and its limestone is decomposed by the acid and turns into gypsum. By reacting with the limestone, the pH-value of the water in the process is buffered and, after refluxing into the reactor, makes the constant growth of the microorganisms possible.