• Geobacter are a group of gram-negative bacteria. They are rod-shaped and possess flagella and pili. Pili is a hair-like appendage found on the surface of many bacteria and archaea.
  • They live in low-oxygen environments such as muddy soil, seabeds or along the banks of rivers.
  • The first Geobacter species ( Geobacter metallireducens ) was isolated from the Potomac River, just down stream from Washington D.C. in 1987.
  • Consequently, many species of Geobacter bacteria were discovered, with each having interesting properties.
  • All Geobacter consume organic waste and give out electrons, generating electric current in the process.