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Mineral weathering by bacteria: ecology, actors and mechanisms

2009; Elsevier BV; Volume: 17; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tim.2009.05.004

1878-4380

Stéphane Uroz, Christophe Calvaruso, Marie-Pierre Turpault, Pascale Frey‐Klett,

Chromium effects and bioremediation

Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by contributing to the release of key nutrients from primary minerals that are required not only for their own nutrition but also for that of plants. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here, we discuss the ecological relevance of bacterial weathering, mainly in the soil and especially in acidic forest ecosystems, which strongly depend on mineral weathering for their sustainability. We also present highlights from recent studies showing molecular mechanisms and genetic determinants involved in the dissolution of complex minerals under aerobic conditions. Finally, we consider the potential applications of genomic resources to the study of bacterial weathering. Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by contributing to the release of key nutrients from primary minerals that are required not only for their own nutrition but also for that of plants. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here, we discuss the ecological relevance of bacterial weathering, mainly in the soil and especially in acidic forest ecosystems, which strongly depend on mineral weathering for their sustainability. We also present highlights from recent studies showing molecular mechanisms and genetic determinants involved in the dissolution of complex minerals under aerobic conditions. Finally, we consider the potential applications of genomic resources to the study of bacterial weathering. forest with a soil characterized by low pH (<4.5) and poorly weatherable minerals. mineral dissolution owing to acidification of the medium. a calcium phosphate mineral. a mica-type mineral containing potassium, iron and magnesium. mineral dissolution owing to chelation of ions. an organism growing inside a rock or in the pores between the mineral grains of a rock. an organism living on rocks or other mineral surfaces. iron-bearing oxide mineral found in soil and other low-temperature environments [FeO(OH)]. mineral form of iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3). dissolution and transformation of a mineral. fungi growing in symbiosis with a plant, forming mycorrhizae. volume of soil under the influence of mycorrhizae. a type of mineral containing SiO4 tetrahedral crystals. surface of plant roots. the volume of soil under the root influence.