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

Iron and manganese are poorly soluble elements in oxic and alkaline solutions, whereas they are much more soluble under anoxic conditions. As a result, the formation of authigenic mineral phases rich in 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 (&lt; 2 µm, 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 16S 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.</p

The Hofmeister effect as seen by SAXS in protein solutions.

Protein interactions in solution are conveniently analysed with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Such an analysis has shown that the addition of monovalent salt induces an additional attraction between macromolecules. A differential effect of the anions is observed, which follows the order of the Hofmeister series. Such experimental observations should be helpful to test the adequacy of theoretical models

Why forces between proteins follow different Hofmeister series for pH above and below pI

The relative effectiveness of different anions in crystallizing proteins follows a reversed Hofmeister sequence for pH pI. The phenomenon has been known almost since Hofmeister's original work but it has no

Magnetotactic bacteria as a new model for P sequestration in the ferruginous Lake Pavin

International audienceThe role of microorganisms in the geochemical cycle of P has received great interest in the context of enhanced biological phosphorus removal and phosphorite formation. Here, we combine scanning and transmission electron microscopies, confocal laser scanning microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray microfluorescence to analyse the distribution of P at the oxic-anoxic interface in the water column of the ferruginous Lake Pavin. We show that magnetotactic bacteria of the Magnetococca-ceae family strongly accumulate polyphosphates and appear as P hotspots in the particulate fraction at this depth. This high accumulation may be characteristic of this family and may also relate to the chemical conditions prevailing in the lake. As a result, these magneto-tactic cocci can be considered as new models playing a potentially important role in the P geochemical cycle, similar to sulphide oxidising bacteria such as Thiomargarita and Beggiatoa but thriving in a ferruginous, poorly sulphidic environment

Magnetotactic bacteria as a new model for P sequestration in the ferruginous Lake Pavin

International audienceThe role of microorganisms in the geochemical cycle of P has received great interest in the context of enhanced biological phosphorus removal and phosphorite formation. Here, we combine scanning and transmission electron microscopies, confocal laser scanning microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray microfluorescence to analyse the distribution of P at the oxic-anoxic interface in the water column of the ferruginous Lake Pavin. We show that magnetotactic bacteria of the Magnetococca-ceae family strongly accumulate polyphosphates and appear as P hotspots in the particulate fraction at this depth. This high accumulation may be characteristic of this family and may also relate to the chemical conditions prevailing in the lake. As a result, these magneto-tactic cocci can be considered as new models playing a potentially important role in the P geochemical cycle, similar to sulphide oxidising bacteria such as Thiomargarita and Beggiatoa but thriving in a ferruginous, poorly sulphidic environment