Hydrous ferric oxide precipitation in the presence of nonmetabolizing bacteria: Constraints on the mechanism of a biotic effect

Rancourt, Denis; Thibault, Pierre-Jean; Mavrocordatos, D.; Lamarche, G.

doi:10.1016/j.gca.2004.07.018

Cited by 83 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 106 publications

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“…Warren and Ferris, 1998;Chatellier et al, 2001;Glasauer et al, 2001;Mavrocordatos and Fortin, 2002;Chatellier and Fortin, 2004;Rancourt et al, 2005; and other works cited by reviews: Ghiorse, 1984;Konhauser, 1998;Fortin and Langley, 2005;Kappler and Straub, 2005), few provide insight into the mineralization processes of iron-oxidizing microbial cultures and mats. Because of the notable abundance of extracellular polymers in iron microbial mats, we investigated the role of these organics in mineral formation.…”

Section: The Iron-binding Function Of Microbial Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron oxyhydroxide mineralization on microbial extracellular polysaccharides

Chan

Fakra

Edwards

et al. 2009

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

354

259

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Iron biominerals can form in neutral pH microaerophilic environments where microbes both catalyze iron oxidation and create polymers that localize mineral precipitation. In order to classify the microbial polymers that influence FeOOH mineralogy, we studied the organic and mineral components of biominerals using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), micro X-ray fluorescence (lXRF) microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). We focused on iron microbial mat samples from a creek and abandoned mine; these samples are dominated by iron oxyhydroxide-coated structures with sheath, stalk, and filament morphologies. In addition, we characterized the mineralized products of an iron-oxidizing, stalk-forming bacterial culture isolated from the mine. In both natural and cultured samples, microbial polymers were found to be acidic polysaccharides with carboxyl functional groups, strongly spatially correlated with iron oxyhydroxide distribution patterns. Organic fibrils collect FeOOH and control its recrystallization, in some cases resulting in oriented crystals with high aspect ratios. The impact of polymers is particularly pronounced as the materials age. Synthesis experiments designed to mimic the biomineralization processes show that the polysaccharide carboxyl groups bind dissolved iron strongly but release it as mineralization proceeds. Our results suggest that carboxyl groups of acidic polysaccharides are produced by different microorganisms to create a wide range of iron oxyhydroxide biomineral structures. The intimate and potentially long-term association controls the crystal growth, phase, and reactivity of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles in natural systems.

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Section: The Iron-binding Function Of Microbial Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron oxyhydroxide mineralization on microbial extracellular polysaccharides

Chan

Fakra

Edwards

et al. 2009

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

354

259

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“…Recent work, however, has focused on the role of microbial cells and exopolymeric substances (EPS) as surfaces for dolomite nucleation (17). Whereas these studies clearly demonstrate that these surfaces are involved in dolomite formation, specific mechanisms of nucleation have not been identified, but likely include serving as surfaces for heterogeneous nucleation, epitaxial growth, or a source of surface functional groups that catalytically influence growth rates (18)(19)(20).Undoubtedly, a lack of abiotic ordered dolomite synthesis at low temperature indicates that we have not yet discovered the key to dolomite nucleation in low-temperature sedimentary systems (3), hindering our ability to effectively model its geochemical behavior at low temperature and to apply these relationships to predict its occurrence in the rock record. Here we report an example of abiotic laboratory precipitation of dolomite at 30°C by nucleation on synthetic, carboxylated surfaces, used as models for natural organic surfaces including microbial EPS.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Surface chemistry allows for abiotic precipitation of dolomite at low temperature

Roberts¹,

Kenward²,

Fowle³

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

207

150

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Although the mineral dolomite is abundant in ancient lowtemperature sedimentary systems, it is scarce in modern systems below 50°C. Chemical mechanism(s) enhancing its formation remain an enigma because abiotic dolomite has been challenging to synthesize at low temperature in laboratory settings. Microbial enhancement of dolomite precipitation at low temperature has been reported; however, it is still unclear exactly how microorganisms influence reaction kinetics. Here we document the abiotic synthesis of low-temperature dolomite in laboratory experiments and constrain possible mechanisms for dolomite formation. Ancient and modern seawater solution compositions, with identical pH and pCO 2 , were used to precipitate an ordered, stoichiometric dolomite phase at 30°C in as few as 20 d. Mg-rich phases nucleate exclusively on carboxylated polystyrene spheres along with calcite, whereas aragonite forms in solution via homogeneous nucleation. We infer that Mg ions are complexed and dewatered by surface-bound carboxyl groups, thus decreasing the energy required for carbonation. These results indicate that natural surfaces, including organic matter and microbial biomass, possessing a high density of carboxyl groups may be a mechanism by which ordered dolomite nuclei form. Although environments rich in organic matter may be of interest, our data suggest that sharp biogeochemical interfaces that promote microbial death, as well as those with high salinity may, in part, control carboxyl-group density on organic carbon surfaces, consistent with origin of dolomites from microbial biofilms, as well as hypersaline and mixing zone environments.biomineralization | carbonates A lthough synthesis of dolomite in laboratory settings at high temperature (80-250°C) has yielded valuable information regarding dolomite formation (1, 2), the validity of extrapolating kinetic data at 250°C down to 25°C is questionable. Synthesis of low-temperature dolomite is hindered by slow reaction kinetics (2). Kinetic inhibition is attributed to lack of solution supersaturation (3), sulfate inhibition (1), cation desolvation (4), and lack of nucleation sites (5). Laboratory precipitation at low temperature has only been successful in producing disordered dolomite: from solutions with high salinity (6); through intermittent (7) or complete dehydration (8); by using organic or inorganic compounds that effectively dewater Mg 2+ ions (9-11); or in the presence of microorganisms, their exudates, or surfaces (12, 13).Microbial dolomite has been produced in the presence of several different metabolic pathways including sulfate reduction, methanogenesis, methanotrophy, sulfide oxidation, and aerobic respiration (12-16), which may drive precipitation through the supersaturation of solutions with respect to dolomite. Recent work, however, has focused on the role of microbial cells and exopolymeric substances (EPS) as surfaces for dolomite nucleation (17). Whereas these studies clearly demonstrate that these surfaces are involved in dolomite formation, specific ...

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“…A matéria orgânica do solo influencia a dinâmica do Fe e do Mn, tanto por seu efeito inibidor do processo de cristalinidade dos óxidos (Jansen et al, 2004) quanto por sua atuação como fonte de energia para os microrganismos responsáveis pela redução microbiana dos compostos oxidados. Elevados teores de matéria orgânica favorecem a formação de complexos de Fe 3+ solúveis e suportam a formação da ferrihidrita (Rancourt et al, 2005).…”

Section: Análises Estatísticasunclassified