Microbial Metal Respiration

From Geochemistry to Potential Applications

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Earth Sciences, Geology
Cover of the book Microbial Metal Respiration by , Springer Berlin Heidelberg
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9783642328671
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg Publication: February 21, 2014
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9783642328671
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication: February 21, 2014
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Microbes can respire on metals. This seemingly simple finding is one of the major discoveries that were made in the field of microbiology in the last few decades. The importance of this observation is evident. Metals are highly abundant on our planet. Iron is even the most abundant element on Earth and the forth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Hence, in some environments iron, but also other metals or metalloids, are the dominant respiratory electron acceptors. Their reduction massively drives the carbon cycle in these environments and establishes redox cycles of the metallic electron acceptors themselves. These redox cycles are not only a driving force for other biotic reactions but are furthermore necessary for initiating a number of geochemically relevant abiotic redox conversions. Although widespread and ecologically influential, electron transfer onto metals like ferric iron or manganese is biochemically challenging. The challenge is to transfer respiratory electrons onto metals that occur in nature at neutral pH in the form of metal oxides or oxihydroxides that are effectively insoluble. Obviously, it is necessary that the microbes specially adapt in order to catalyze the electron transfer onto insoluble electron acceptors. The elucidation of these adaptations is an exciting ongoing process. To sum it up, dissimilatory metal reduction has wide-spread implications in the field of microbiology, biochemistry and geochemistry and its discovery was one of the major reasons to establish a novel scientific field called geomicrobiology. Recently, the discovery of potential applications of dissimilatory metal reducers in bioremediation or current production in a microbial fuel cell further increased the interest in studying microbial metal reduction. 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Microbes can respire on metals. This seemingly simple finding is one of the major discoveries that were made in the field of microbiology in the last few decades. The importance of this observation is evident. Metals are highly abundant on our planet. Iron is even the most abundant element on Earth and the forth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Hence, in some environments iron, but also other metals or metalloids, are the dominant respiratory electron acceptors. Their reduction massively drives the carbon cycle in these environments and establishes redox cycles of the metallic electron acceptors themselves. These redox cycles are not only a driving force for other biotic reactions but are furthermore necessary for initiating a number of geochemically relevant abiotic redox conversions. Although widespread and ecologically influential, electron transfer onto metals like ferric iron or manganese is biochemically challenging. The challenge is to transfer respiratory electrons onto metals that occur in nature at neutral pH in the form of metal oxides or oxihydroxides that are effectively insoluble. Obviously, it is necessary that the microbes specially adapt in order to catalyze the electron transfer onto insoluble electron acceptors. The elucidation of these adaptations is an exciting ongoing process. To sum it up, dissimilatory metal reduction has wide-spread implications in the field of microbiology, biochemistry and geochemistry and its discovery was one of the major reasons to establish a novel scientific field called geomicrobiology. Recently, the discovery of potential applications of dissimilatory metal reducers in bioremediation or current production in a microbial fuel cell further increased the interest in studying microbial metal reduction. 

More books from Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Cover of the book Strafvollzug by
Cover of the book Praxis der Hepatologie by
Cover of the book Coating Substrates and Textiles by
Cover of the book Clustering High--Dimensional Data by
Cover of the book Computer Science and Educational Software Design by
Cover of the book Phosphodiesterases as Drug Targets by
Cover of the book Glaucoma Update by
Cover of the book Direct Store Delivery by
Cover of the book Current Topics in Pathology / Ergebnisse der Pathologie by
Cover of the book Clifford Algebras and Lie Theory by
Cover of the book Biofuel Technologies by
Cover of the book Proceedings of 20th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management by
Cover of the book Pediatric Oncology by
Cover of the book Neonatologische und pädiatrische Intensiv- und Anästhesiepflege by
Cover of the book Proceedings of SAE-China Congress 2014: Selected Papers by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy