Round 8: Tossup 5

This element’s namesake globules are studied in the model organism Allochromatium vinosum. Bacteria that reduce compounds of this element were likely displaced by vertical burrowers during the Cambrian substrate revolution. (-5[1])This element is enriched at the bottom of Winogradsky columns. Compounds of this element are metabolized by endosymbionts in Alviniconcha mollusks and the trophosomes of Riftia (10[1])pachyptila. Deep meromictic lakes are rich in this element’s namesake “green” and “purple” bacteria that use it (-5[1])as a non-oxygen electron acceptor. According to Günter Wächtershäuser, minerals of (10[1])iron and this element were the platform for early (10[1])organismal evolution near hydrothermal (10[1])vents. (10[1])For 10 points, (10[1])name (-5[1])this element (10[1])that often emits a rotten (10[1])smell. ■END■ (10[3])

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