Sergei Winogradsky

Sergei Winogradsky

Sergei Nikolaievich Winogradsky ForMemRS (or Vinogradskyi; Ukrainian: Сергій Миколайович Виноградський, Russian: Сергей Николаевич Виноградский; 1 September 1856 – 25 February 1953) was a Ukrainian-Russian microbiologist, ecologist and soil scientist who pioneered the cycle of life concept.

Winogradsky discovered the first known form of lithotrophy during his research with Beggiatoa in 1887. He reported that Beggiatoa oxidized hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as an energy source and formed intracellular sulfur droplets. This research provided the first example of lithotrophy, but not autotrophy.

His research on nitrifying bacteria would report the first known form of chemoautotrophy, showing how a lithotroph fixes carbon dioxide (CO₂) to make organic compounds.