Rapid pyritization in the presence of a sulfur/sulfate-reducing bacterial consortium.

ABSTRACT: Sedimentary pyrite (FeS₂) is commonly thought to be a product of microbial sulfate reduction and hence may preserve biosignatures. However, proof that microorganisms are involved in pyrite formation is still lacking as only metastable iron sulfides are usually obtained in laboratory cultures. Here we show the rapid formation of large pyrite spherules through the sulfidation of Fe(III)-phosphate (FP) in the presence of a consortium of sulfur- and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), Desulfovibrio and Sulfurospirillum, enriched from ferruginous and phosphate-rich Lake Pavin water. In biomineralization experiments inoculated with this consortium, pyrite formation occurred within only 3 weeks, likely enhanced by the local enrichment of polysulfides around SRB cells. During this same tim

SUBMITTER: Berg JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7237684 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature