Genome of Ectothiorhodospira sp. BSL-9, a photosynthetic arsenite-oxidizing bacterium from Big Soda Lake, Nevada. Ectothiorhodospira sp. BSL-9

Ectothiorhodospira sp. strain BSL-9 was isolated from an arsenic-rich alkaline soda lake in Nevada, Big Soda Lake. BSL-9 can grow photosynthetically by light-dependent oxidation of arsenite to arsenate, a less toxic form of arsenic. Genomic evidence suggest that BSL-9 uses an arx-type anaerobic arsenite oxidase and not the aio-type. "Photoarsenotrophy" is thought to impact the arsenic biogeochemical cycle in shallow anoxic aquatic environments.