Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Biological rejuvenation of iron oxides in bioturbated marine sediments
Beam, J.P.; Scott, J.J.; McAllister, S.M.; Chan, C.S.; McManus, J.; Meysman, F.J.R.; Emerson, D. (2018). Biological rejuvenation of iron oxides in bioturbated marine sediments. ISME J. 12(5): 1389-1394. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41396-017-0032-6
In: The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 1751-7362; e-ISSN 1751-7370, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Beam, J.P.
  • Scott, J.J.
  • McAllister, S.M.
  • Chan, C.S.
  • McManus, J.
  • Meysman, F.J.R., more
  • Emerson, D.

Abstract
    The biogeochemical cycle of iron is intricately linked to numerous element cycles. Although biological processes that catalyze the reductive side of the iron cycle are established, little is known about microbial oxidative processes on iron cycling in sedimentary environments—resulting in the formation of iron oxides. Here we show that a potential source of sedimentary iron oxides originates from the metabolic activity of iron-oxidizing bacteria from the class Zetaproteobacteria, presumably enhanced by burrowing animals in coastal sediments. Zetaproteobacteria were estimated to be a global total of 1026 cells in coastal, bioturbated sediments, and predicted to annually produce 8 × 1015 g of Fe in sedimentary iron oxides—55 times larger than the annual flux of iron oxides deposited by rivers. These data suggest that iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria are keystone organisms in marine sedimentary environments—despite their low numerical abundance—yet exert a disproportionate impact via the rejuvenation of iron oxides.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors