Sergei Nikolaevich Winogradsky ForMemRS (Russian: Π‘Π΅ΡΠ³Π΅ΠΉ ΠΠΈΠΊΠΎΠ»Π°Π΅Π²ΠΈΡ ΠΠΈΠ½ΠΎΠ³ΡΠ°Π΄ΡΠΊΠΈΠΉ; Ukrainian: Π‘Π΅ΡΠ³ΡΠΉ ΠΠΈΠΊΠΎΠ»Π°ΠΉΠΎΠ²ΠΈΡ ΠΠΈΠ½ΠΎΠ³ΡΠ°Π΄ΡΡΠΊΠΈΠΉ; 13 SeptemberΒ [O.S. 1 September]Β 1856 β 24 February 1953), also published under the name Sergius Winogradsky, was a Ukrainian 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. Born in the capital of present-day Ukraine, his legacy is also celebrated by this nation.
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.