Bacteria can produce sulphuric acid with pH values of <1 Could a more complex organism use them?

Previously, I asked about the plausibility of a sulphuric acid dragon. As it turns out, the answer was right on Wikipedia, namely a. thiooxidans and the snottie

Snottites are highly acidic biofilms (pH 0-1) that form on the walls and ceilings of hydrogen sulfide-rich caves where sulfide-rich springs gas H2S into the cave air. The snottite microbial communities have very low species diversity and are predominantly composed of sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. Sulfide oxidation produces sulfuric acid, which dissolves the limestone walls of the cave. Microcrystalline gypsum precipitates as a corrosion residue that eventually limits pH buffering by the underlying limestone and enables the development of extremely acidic wall surfaces. A. thiooxidans is known to inhabit these biofilms. Snottite morphology and distribution within caves depends on the availability of carbon, nitrogen, and energy substrates in the atmosphere. Snottite formations are generally milky in color, suspended vertically from cave ceilings and walls, and have a phlegm-like consistency (hence the name).

Sulphuric acid fits the characteristics of dragon breath weapon the best. After all, not only does this thing cause chemical burns, its dilution is also highly exothermic, meaning that if you get sprayed in the face with it, first you get chemical burns, THEN second-degree, regular burns. you can imagine what it would feel like.

Apparently, there are microbes that produce this beast, which are also content with living in pH<1 environments.

So, the question is if there are bacteria that could survive in this environment, would it be possible to adapt the stomach-lining (the mucous membrane) of my dragons to be able to withstand it as well?

Note: Today, I found out that bacteria of the genus Picrophilus are able to withstand pHs of -0.06, and die above pHs of 4.

I also found out that acidophiles resist their environment by building acidic residue into their proteins.

posted almost 5 years ago

Mephistopheles‭

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