(1) Tellurium: Rarely Supports Growth 

Te levels can be elevated at deep sea hydrothermal vents and studies of microbes from this extreme environment led to the discovery of dissimilatory tellurate reduction (Csotonyi et al., 2006). Recent surveys have revealed that respiration coupled to tellurate and tellurite reduction is a frequent mode of energy generation for most of the microbes isolated from this unusual environment, which include representatives of diverse genera including Shewanella, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio spp. (Maltman et al., 2016). Although most biological transformations of Te ions seem to be directed at detoxification, Te is of clear physiological benefit to these few bacteria from extreme environments.