Other organisms have been studied for the purpose of coal depyritization (for example, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans); however, the process occurs at a slower rate than traditional abiotic removal.
M. sedula, being thermophilic, is tolerant of higher temperatures, which results in faster extraction rates than with other organisms, making it a strong candidate for future use in coal depyritization.
M. sedula is a coccus, roughly 1 μm in diameter with pilus-like structures protruding from its surface when viewed via electron microscopy.
M. sedula can be found in sulfur rich hot springs, volcanic fields, and acid mine drainage (AMD) communities.
Though the dissolution of pyrite in AMD is a natural process, it is accelerated in the presence of acidophiles such as M. sedula that are found in these environments, leading to increased rates of acidification of water draining for active and abandoned mines.
AMD communities are characterized by a diverse composition of microorganisms that fill available niches depending on their tolerance to temperature, metal resistance and pH.