Work

Nucleation of Fe-rich phosphates and carbonates on microbial cells and exopolymeric substances

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Although phosphate and carbonate are important constituents in ancient and modern environments, it is not yet clear their biogeochemical relationships and their mechanisms of formation. Microbially mediated carbonate formation has been widely studied whereas little is known about the formation of phosphate minerals. Here we report that a new bacterial strain, Tessarococcus lapidicaptus, isolated from the subsurface of Rio Tinto basin (Huelva, SW Spain), is capable of precipitating Fe-rich phosphate and carbonate minerals. We observed morphological differences between phosphate and carbonate, which may help us to recognize these minerals in terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. Finally, considering the scarcity and the unequal distribution and preservation patterns of phosphate and carbonates, respectively, in the geological record and the biomineralization process that produces those minerals, we propose a hypothesis for the lack of Fe-phosphates in natural environments and ancient rocks.

Source: Frontiers in Microbiology

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01024

Authors: Mónica Sánchez-Román, Fernando Puente-Sánchez, Víctor Parro, Ricardo Amils

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Centro de Astrobiología, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa

Language: English

Topic: Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis

Subfield: Geochemistry and Petrology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801

Funders: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, FP7 Ideas: European Research Council