Cited by 2,013Metal Extraction and BioleachingMine drainage and remediation techniquesHeavy metals in environment

Metals, minerals and microbes: geomicrobiology and bioremediation

Gadd, Geoffrey Michael·2010·Microbiology

Abstract

Microbes play key geoactive roles in the biosphere, particularly in the areas of element biotransformations and biogeochemical cycling, metal and mineral transformations, decomposition, bioweathering, and soil and sediment formation. All kinds of microbes, including prokaryotes and eukaryotes and their symbiotic associations with each other and ‘higher organisms’, can contribute actively to geological phenomena, and central to many such geomicrobial processes are transformations of metals and minerals. Microbes have a variety of properties that can effect changes in metal speciation, toxicity and mobility, as well as mineral formation or mineral dissolution or deterioration. Such mechanisms are important components of natural biogeochemical cycles for metals as well as associated elements in biomass, soil, rocks and minerals, e.g. sulfur and phosphorus, and metalloids, actinides and metal radionuclides. Apart from being important in natural biosphere processes, metal and mineral transformations can have beneficial or detrimental consequences in a human context. Bioremediation is the application of biological systems to the clean-up of organic and inorganic pollution, with bacteria and fungi being the most important organisms for reclamation, immobilization or detoxification of metallic and radionuclide pollutants. Some biominerals or metallic elements deposited by microbes have catalytic and other properties in nanoparticle, crystalline or colloidal forms, and these are relevant to the development of novel biomaterials for technological and antimicrobial purposes. On the negative side, metal and mineral transformations by microbes may result in spoilage and destruction of natural and synthetic materials, rock and mineral-based building materials (e.g. concrete), acid mine drainage and associated metal pollution, biocorrosion of metals, alloys and related substances, and adverse effects on radionuclide speciation, mobility and containment, all with immense social and economic consequences. The ubiquity and importance of microbes in biosphere processes make geomicrobiology one of the most important concepts within microbiology, and one requiring an interdisciplinary approach to define environmental and applied significance and underpin exploitation in biotechnology.

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Crossref · 10.1099/mic.0.037143-0

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  • Understanding the microbiological processes of carbonate precipitation may help prevent the deterioration of buildings.

    “In another example, understanding the microbiological processes of carbonate precipitation, which is one of the main topics in the search for life on Mars, may help prevent the deterioration of buildings (Gadd, 2010).”

    From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Gadd, 2010

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Authors
Gadd, G. M.
Affiliations
University of Dundee (GB)
Corresponding author
Gadd, Geoffrey Michael
Venue
Microbiology
Published
2010-03-01
Volume
156
Issue
3
Pages
609-643
ISSN
  • 1350-0872 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-2080
OpenAlex
W2154411423
Cited by
2,013
References
376
Citations by year
2026: 143 · 2025: 130 · 2024: 123 · 2023: 138 · 2022: 134 · 2021: 175 · 2020: 171 · 2019: 137 · 2018: 149 · 2017: 145 · 2016: 128 · 2015: 112 · 2014: 99 · 2013: 102 · 2012: 66
FWCI
3.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Discovery Research Portal (University of Dundee) (publishedVersion)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Mine drainage and remediation techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
Keywords
geomicrobiology, bioremediation, mineral transformation, metal speciation, metal mobility, metal toxicity, biomineralization, bioweathering, biogeochemical cycles, radionuclide immobilization, acid mine drainage, microbiologically influenced corrosion, metalloids, actinides, metal contamination, biomaterials
MeSH terms
Bacteria, Biodegradation, Environmental, Fungi, Metals, Minerals, Soil Microbiology, Geological Phenomena

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