Biogenic Nanomineral Formation: Exploring the Role of Microbial Metabolism in Shaping Subsurface Geochemistry
Keywords:
Biogenic nanominerals, microbial metabolism, biomineralization, redox processes, geochemical cyclingAbstract
This study explores the mechanisms, pathways, and geochemical implications of biogenic nanomineral formation driven by microbial metabolism within subsurface environments. Microorganisms—including bacteria, archaea, and fungi play a crucial role in generating nanominerals through biologically controlled and biologically induced mineralization processes, mediated by complex metabolic reactions such as iron and sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation, and redox cycling. These microbial activities give rise to structurally and chemically distinct nanominerals such as magnetite, greigite, pyrite, manganese oxides, carbonates, and metal sulfides, which differ significantly from their abiotic counterparts in crystallinity, morphology, and reactivity. At the nanoscale, extracellular polymeric substances, cell wall functional groups, and metabolic by-products act as catalytic interfaces for nucleation, growth, dissolution, and stabilization of mineral nanoparticles. The study highlights how microbial redox transformations regulate metal mobility, influence geochemical gradients, and shape the mineralogical evolution of sediments, soils, and aquifers. Furthermore, it demonstrates that biogenic nanominerals serve essential functions as redox buffers, contaminant immobilizers, nutrient reservoirs, and biosignatures in both modern and ancient environments. These nanoscale products also contribute to larger processes such as bioremediation, biomineral-based energy cycling, and the long-term stabilization or mobilization of metals. Overall, the findings underscore microbial nanomineral formation as a major driver of subsurface geochemistry, emphasizing the need to integrate microbiology, mineralogy, and geochemical modeling to understand elemental cycling, environmental transformation processes, and the evolution of Earth’s mineral diversity.
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