With and without Cable Bacteria (IMAGE) Aarhus University Caption Rice plants in soil without cable bacteria (left) and with cable bacteria (right). The activity of cable bacteria can be clearly seen by the formation of an orange rust crust on the surface of the soil in the rice pot. The bacteria dissolve black iron sulphide in the soil and convert the sulphide into sulphate while the iron wanders to the surface and forms rust when it comes into contact with oxygen. Credit Vincent Valentin Scholz, AU Usage Restrictions May only be used with appropriate caption and credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.