Bio-precipitation of calcium and magnesium ions through extracellular and intracellular process induced by bacillus licheniformis SRB2

Removal of calcium and magnesium ions through biomineralization induced by bacteria has been proven to be an effective and environmentally friendly method to improve water quality, but the process and mechanism are far from fully understood. In this study, a newly isolated probiotic Bacillus licheniformis SRB2 (GenBank: KM884945.1) was used to induce the bio-precipitation of calcium and magnesium at various Mg/Ca molar ratios (0, 6, 8, 10, and 12) in medium with 30 g L−1 sodium chloride. Due to the increasing pH and HCO3− and CO32− concentrations caused by NH3 and carbonic anhydrase, about 98% Ca2+ and 50% Mg2+ were precipitated in 12 days. The pathways of bio-precipitation include extracellular and intracellular processes. Biominerals with more negative δ13C values (−16‰ to −18‰) were formed including calcite, vaterite, monohydrocalcite, and nesquehonite with preferred orientation. The nucleation on extracellular polymeric substances was controlled by the negatively charged amino acids and organic functional groups. The intracellular amorphous inclusions containing calcium and magnesium also contributed to the bio-precipitation. This study reveals the process and mechanism of microbial desalination for the removal of calcium and magnesium, and provides some references to explain the formation of the nesquehonite and other carbonate minerals in a natural and ancient earth surface environment

Characterization of calcium deposition induced by Synechocystis sp PCC6803 in BG11 culture medium

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals in their preferred orientation were obtained in BG11 culture media inoculated with Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (inoculated BG11). In this study, the features of calcium carbonate deposition were investigated. Inoculated BG11 in different calcium ion concentrations was used for the experimental group, while the BG11 culture medium was used for the control group. The surface morphologies of the calcium carbonate deposits in the experimental and control groups were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The deposits were analyzed by electronic probe micro-analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the surfaces of the crystals in the experimental group were hexahedral in a scaly pattern. The particle sizes were micrometer-sized and larger than those in the control group. The deposits of the control group contained calcium (Ca), carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and other elements. The deposits in the experimental group contained Ca, C, and O only. The deposits of both groups contained calcite. The thermal decomposition temperature of the deposits in the control group was lower than those in the experimental group. It showed that the CaCO3 deposits of the experimental group had higher thermal stability than those of the control group. This may be due to the secondary metabolites produced by the algae cells, which affect the carbonate crystal structure and result in a close-packed structure. The algae cells that remained after thermal weight loss were heavier in higher calcium concentrations in BG11 culture media. There may be more calcium-containing crystals inside and outside of these cells. These results shall be beneficial for understanding the formation mechanism of carbonate minerals.Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals in their preferred orientation were obtained in BG11 culture media inoculated with Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (inoculated BG11). In this study, the features of calcium carbonate deposition were investigated. Inoculated BG11 in different calcium ion concentrations was used for the experimental group, while the BG11 culture medium was used for the control group. The surface morphologies of the calcium carbonate deposits in the experimental and control groups were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The deposits were analyzed by electronic probe micro-analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the surfaces of the crystals in the experimental group were hexahedral in a scaly pattern. The particle sizes were micrometer-sized and larger than those in the control group. The deposits of the control group contained calcium (Ca), carbon (C), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and other elements. The deposits in the experimental group contained Ca, C, and O only. The deposits of both groups contained calcite. The thermal decomposition temperature of the deposits in the control group was lower than those in the experimental group. It showed that the CaCO3 deposits of the experimental group had higher thermal stability than those of the control group. This may be due to the secondary metabolites produced by the algae cells, which affect the carbonate crystal structure and result in a close-packed structure. The algae cells that remained after thermal weight loss were heavier in higher calcium concentrations in BG11 culture media. There may be more calcium-containing crystals inside and outside of these cells. These results shall be beneficial for understanding the formation mechanism of carbonate minerals

Precipitation of Carbonate Minerals Induced by the Halophilic Chromohalobacter Israelensis under High Salt Concentrations: Implications for Natural Environments

The precipitation of carbonate minerals induced by halophilic bacteria has aroused wide concern. The study aimed to investigate the characterization and process of biomineralization in high salt systems by halophilic Chromohalobacter israelensis LD532 (GenBank: KX766026) bacteria, isolated from the Yinjiashan Saltern in China. Carbonate minerals were induced in magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride medium, respectively. The mineral phase, morphology, and elemental composition of minerals were analyzed using X-ray p owder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray detection. Cells and ultrathin slices were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray detection. The carbonic anhydrase and ammonia released from LD532 bacteria increased pH of the medium and promoted the carbonate precipitation. Magnesium calcite and aragonite were induced by LD532 bacteria in magnesium chloride medium at an Mg/Ca molar ratio of 2, while Magnesium calcite and monohydrocalcite were precipitated in magnesium sulfate medium at the same Mg/Ca ratio, only monohydrocalcite were formed in both control groups. The morphologies and compositions of minerals in MgSO4 and MgCl2 solutions displayed significant differences, indicating different Mg2+ could affect physiological and biochemical activities of LD532 bacteria and thus affect the mineral deposition. Further study showed the nucleation sites were located on extracellular polymeric substances and intracellular vesicles of LD532 bacteria. This study is beneficial to the mechanism of carbonate biomineralization in natural salt environments

Slide origin of breccia lenses in the Cambrian of the North China Platform: new insight into mass transport in an epeiric sea

An oolite in the Furongian (Late Cambrian) Chaomidian Formation in Shandong Province, China, which was deposited on the North China Platform in an epeiric sea, contains several limestone breccia lenses of various dimensions (centimetres to decimetres thick and decimetres to more than 10 metres in length) in an E-trending section. The oolite, which is approximately 40 cm thick, was originally thicker, as indicated by a planar truncation surface that formed by wave abrasion. The breccia lenses in this oolite are generally mound-shaped with a flat base and a convex top. The western margin of the lenses is commonly rounded whereas the eastern margin commonly has a tail (consisting of a rapidly eastwards thinning breccia horizon that gradually ends in a horizon of isolated clasts). Some of the breccia lenses are underlain by a shear zone. The formation of the breccia lenses cannot be easily explained by normal depositional or deformational processes. It is concluded that the lenses represent fragments of a partly consolidated layer, consisting of both rounded and angular platy clasts, which slid down over a very gently inclined sedimentary surface which acted – possibly together with a water film – as a lubricant layer. During transport, the layer broke up into several discrete bodies that formed small ‘highs’ at the sedimentary surface of the shallow epeiric sea. Subsequently, waves partially eroded the lenses, mostly at their margins, producing their mound-shaped form. Sliding of blocks is known from a wide variety of environments in the sedimentary record; however, this is the first description of the sliding of blocks in an epeiric sea. This indicates that such a low-relief submarine carbonate setting is, like its siliciclastic counterparts, susceptible to this process

Soft-sediment deformation structures in cores from lacustrine slurry deposits of the Late Triassic Yanchang Fm. (central China)

The fine-grained autochthonous sedimentation in the deep part of a Late Triassic lake was frequently interrupted by gravity-induced mass flows. Some of these mass flows were so rich in water that they must have represented slurries. This can be deduced from the soft-sediment deformation structures that abound in cores from these lacustrine deposits which constitute the Yanchang Fm., which is present in the Ordos Basin (central China). The flows and the resulting SSDS were probably triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, shear stress of gravity flows, and/or the sudden release of overburden-induced excess pore-fluid pressure. The tectonically active setting, the depositional slope and the high sedimentation rate facilitated the development of soft-sediment deformations, which consist mainly of load casts and associated structures such as pseudonodules and flame structures. Sediments with such deformations were occasionally eroded by slurries and became embedded in their deposits

Biomineralization of Carbonates Induced by Mucilaginibacter gossypii HFF1: Significant Role of Biochemical Parameters

Although the precipitation of carbonate minerals induced by various bacteria is widely studied, the changes in the biochemical parameters, and their significant role in the biomineralization processes, still need further exploration. In this study, Mucilaginibacter gossypii HFF1 was isolated, identified, and used to induce carbonate minerals at various Mg/Ca ratios. The biochemical parameters were determined in order to explore the biomineralization mechanisms, including cell concentration, pH, ammonia, carbonic anhydrase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity. The characteristics of extracellular minerals and intracellular inclusions were both analyzed. In addition, the amino acid composition of the extracellular polymeric substance was also tested. Results show that the biochemical parameters provide an alkaline environment for precipitation, due to the combined effect of ammonia, carbonic anhydrase, and alkaline phosphatase. Biotic minerals are characterized by preferred orientation, specific shape, and better crystalline and better thermal stability, indicating their biogenesis. Most of the amino acids in the extracellular polymeric substance are negatived charged, and facilitate the binding of magnesium and calcium ions. The particles with weak crystalline structure in the EPS prove that it acts as a nucleation site. Intracellular analyses prove the presence of the intracellular amorphous inclusions. Our results suggest that the changes in the biochemical parameters caused by bacteria are beneficial to biomineralization, and play a necessary role in its process. This offers new insight into understanding the biomineralization mechanism of the bacteria HFF1

The Late Triassic Molasse Deposits in Central Jilin Province, NE China: Constraints on the Paleo-Asian Ocean Closure

This paper presents a new detailed study including zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic, whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses of conglomerate and granitic pebbles from the molasse deposits in central Jilin Province, NE China. These data are used to better constrain the Late Permian–Triassic tectonic evolution regarding particularly the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) along the Changhun-Yanji suture (CYS). Zircon U-Pb data indicate that the granitic pebbles formed in the end-Permian (254–253 Ma). The youngest detrital zircon age of 231 Ma from the conglomerate, and presence of the overlying Upper Triassic Sihetun Formation suggests that the molasse deposits on the Jin′gui Island formed during the Late Triassic. The end-Permian granitic rocks display high SiO2 (66.07–74.77 wt %), with low MgO (0.55–2.05 wt %) and Mg# (31.61–43.64) values, together with depleted Hf and Nd isotopic values (εHf(t) = +1.61 to +11.62; εNd(t) = +3.3 to +4.2; (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.706458–0.706842) and juvenile second-stage Hf model ages (1148–512 Ma), suggesting that they were probably generated by the partial melting of a Meso-Neoproterozoic juvenile metabasaltic lower crust. They are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depletions in high field strength elements (HFSEs), with affinities to igneous rocks forming in a subduction-related setting. This, combined with regional coeval subduction-related magmatic rocks, indicates that the PAO still existed along the CYS. In addition, the identification of Late Triassic molasse deposits on the Jin′gui Island in this study, coupled with occurrences of many Early Triassic syn-collisional granitoids along the CYS, indicates that the final closure of the PAO took place prior to the Late Triassic

The Paleocene Hangu formation : a key to unlocking the mysteries of Paleo-Tethys tectonism

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.The sedimentary rocks of the Paleocene Hangu Formation in the Yadgaar Section of the Upper Indus Basin in northern Pakistan, have been the subject of an integrated field, petrographical, and sedimentological investigation. The goals of this study are to improve our understanding of the sedimentary environment, facies shifts, and the impact of tectonism on the genesis of the investigated sedimentary facies. A better understanding of the intricate relationships between the aforementioned factors will clarify whether the regional tectonic drive has partial control over or complete command of the sedimentation processes. The results of this study shows that the Hangu Formation consists of four facies: bauxite, sandstone, coal, and limestone. The bauxite deposits formed in a karst environment with severe chemical weathering in a humid to extremely humid climatic setting. Thin coal laminae indicate a peatland environment that formed within a humid tropical climate. Sub-arkose, arenite, and arkose sandstone facies mark deltaic (sub-humid), coastal–near shore (humid to hot-humid), and high-energy fluvial (arid to semi-arid) sedimentary environments, respectively. Finally, the occurrence of marly limestone points towards deposition on a shallow marine carbonate platform within a coastal-brackish environment. The facies shift of the sediments provides evidence for a gradual transition from continental to marine conditions within the study area, together with episodic transgressive and regressive cycles as well as changing climatic and geomorphological conditions. In consequence, all these changes are controlled and shaped by the effects of Paleo-Tethys tectonism during the Indo-Eurasian intra-oceanic subduction. This advancement through the current work helps in understanding tectonic-sedimentary mechanics, i.e., how regional tectono-sedimentological processes influence the formation of sedimentary sequences.The China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund Project and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/marpetgeo2024-09-22hj2023Geolog

Soft-sediment deformation structures in cores from lacustrine slurry deposits of the Late Triassic Yanchang Fm. (central China)

The fine-grained autochthonous sedimentation in the deep part of a Late Triassic lake was frequently interrupted by gravity-induced mass flows. Some of these mass flows were so rich in water that they must have represented slurries. This can be deduced from the soft-sediment deformation structures that abound in cores from these lacustrine deposits which constitute the Yanchang Fm., which is present in the Ordos Basin (central China)