Biomineralization of amorphous Fe-, Mn- and Si-rich mineral phases by cyanobacteria under oxic and alkaline conditions

Abstract Fe and/or Mn has traditionally been viewed as diagnostic of global or local anoxic conditions. Here we reveal that some specific cyanobacteria of very small size (< µ m, i.e., picocyanobacteria) can biomineralize abundant, authigenic Fe (III) -, Mn (IV) - and Si -rich amorphous phases under oxic conditions in an alkaline lake in Mexico. The resulting biominerals cluster as small globules arranged as rings around the division septum of cyanobacterial cells. These rings are enveloped within an organic, likely polysaccharidic envelope and are partially preserved, at least morphologically, upon sedimentation. Based on their 16 S rDNA sequence, these cyanobacteria were affiliated with the Synechococcales order. The high Fe and Mn enrichment of the biominerals questions the systematic inference of anoxic conditions based on their detection. Moreover, this process scavenges iron from the water column, an overlooked biological contribution to the Fe cycle. Finally, it reveals a new case of controlled biomineralization of Si -rich phases by bacteria.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Biomineralization of amorphous Fe-, Mn- and Si-rich mineral phases by cyanobacteria under oxic and alkaline conditions ; volume:20 ; number:19 ; year:2023 ; pages:4183-4195 ; extent:13 ; Biogeosciences ; 20, Heft 19 (2023), 4183-4195 (gesamt 13)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Benzerara, Karim ; Elmaleh, Agnès ; Ciobanu, Maria ; De Wever, Alexis ; Bertolino, Paola ; Iniesto, Miguel ; Jézéquel, Didier ; López-García, Purificación ; Menguy, Nicolas ; Muller, Elodie ; Skouri-Panet, Fériel ; Swaraj, Sufal ; Tavera, Rosaluz ; Thomazo, Christophe ; Moreira, David

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/bg-20-4183-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023101904321011866806
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:54 AM CEST