[High-temperature microbial sulfate reduction can be accompanied by magnetite formation].
The hyperthermophilic sulfate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus was found to be capable of lithoautotrophic growth on medium containing molecular hydrogen, sulfate, and amorphous Fe(III) oxide. During the growth of this microorganism, amorphous Fe(III) oxide was transformed into black strongly magnetic sediment rich in magnetite, as shown by Mossbauer studies. Experiments involving inhibition of microbial sulfate reduction and abiotic controls revealed that magnetite production resulted from chemical reactions proceeding at elevated temperatures (83 degrees C) between molecular hydrogen, amorphous Fe(III) oxide, and sulfide formed enzymatically in the course of dissimilatory sulfate reduction. It follows that magnetite production in this system can be characterized as biologically mediated mineralization. This is the first report of magnetite formation as a result of activity of sulfate-reducing microorganisms.
Slobodkin
A I
AI
Chistiakova
N I
NI
Rusakov
V S
VS
D019611:Archaeoglobus fulgidus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003470:Culture Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D010087:Oxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D003470:Culture Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D013431:Sulfates; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide