Aim and Background:Due to the extreme growth conditions of most of sulphate reducing bacteria (obligate anaerobic, high temperature, etc.), studying and investigation of them is difficult exclusive Ardebil province climate and its unique hot springs have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was investigation of the potential presence of anaerobic, thermophilic sulphate reducing bacteria in Sarisu hot springs of Ardebil.

Material and Methods:In this study sampling was done from Sarisu hot spring. Enrichment, isolation and purification of sulphate reducing bacteria were done in specific media Postgate B and Hungate. Initial identification of bacteria was done by common biochemical tests. Further molecular identification was done on the basis of 16S rDNA riobotyping with the use of universal primers.

Results:The studied hot spring contained sulphate reducing bacteria were able to grow in specific media.Dominant bacteria in these media were gram positive, motile, and had endospore. None of these isolated bacteria had desufoviridin pigment.

Conclusion:The result of this study showed the existence of anaerobic thermophilic sulphate reducing bacteria of Desulfotomaculum genus in the studied hot spring.