Transformation of metals and metalloids by microorganisms

Microorganisms exhibit a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms that can alter the chemical speciation of metals and metalloids, and their release from minerals and other solid substrates. Such mechanisms are important components of biogeochemical cycles for metal(loid)s, and may be important determinants of microbial metal tolerance or resistance. Those mechanisms that alter metal mobility through, e.g., solubilization or bioprecipitation, are of significance in transformations of environmental pollutants, as well in environmental biotechnologies such as bioleaching, bioremediation and element biorecovery