Cited by 165Microbial Applications in Construction MaterialsPaleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsCalcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition

Biologically induced mineralization of dypingite by cyanobacteria from an alkaline wetland near Atlin, British Columbia, Canada

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Power, Ian M, Wilson, Sasha, Thom, James M, Dipple, Gregory M, Southam, Gordon·2007·Geochemical Transactions

Abstract

Background: This study provides experimental evidence for biologically induced precipitation of magnesium carbonates, specifically dypingite (Mg 5(CO 3)4(OH)2·5H 2 O), by cyanobacteria from an alkaline wetland near Atlin, British Columbia. This wetland is part of a larger hydromagnesite (Mg 5(CO 3)4(OH)2·4H 2 O) playa. Abiotic and biotic processes for magnesium carbonate precipitation in this environment are compared. Results: Field observations show that evaporation of wetland water produces carbonate films of nesquehonite (MgCO 3·3H 2 O) on the water surface and crusts on exposed surfaces. In contrast, benthic microbial mats possessing filamentous cyanobacteria (Lyngbya sp.) contain platy dypingite (Mg 5(CO 3)4(OH)2·5H 2 O) and aragonite. Bulk carbonates in the benthic mats (δ 13 C avg. = 6.7‰, δ 18 O avg. = 17.2‰) were isotopically distinguishable from abiotically formed nesquehonite (δ 13 C avg. = 9.3‰, δ 18 O avg. = 24.9‰). Field and laboratory experiments, which emulated natural conditions, were conducted to provide insight into the processes for magnesium carbonate precipitation in this environment. Field microcosm experiments included an abiotic control and two microbial systems, one containing ambient wetland water and one amended with nutrients to simulate eutrophic conditions. The abiotic control developed an extensive crust of nesquehonite on its bottom surface during which [Mg 2+] decreased by 16.7% relative to the starting concentration. In the microbial systems, precipitation occurred within the mats and was not simply due to the capturing of mineral grains settling out of the water column. Magnesium concentrations decreased by 22.2% and 38.7% in the microbial systems, respectively. Laboratory experiments using natural waters from the Atlin site produced rosettes and flakey globular aggregates of dypingite precipitated in association with filamentous cyanobacteria dominated biofilms cultured from the site, whereas the abiotic control again precipitated nesquehonite. Conclusion: Microbial mats in the Atlin wetland create ideal conditions for biologically induced precipitation of dypingite and have presumably played a significant role in the development of this natural Mg-carbonate playa. This biogeochemical process represents an important link between the biosphere and the inorganic carbon pool.

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  • Exposing biological samples to dilute acid while observing under a light microscope generated visible bubbles of CO2, thereby determining the presence of submicron-scale grains of carbonate minerals amongst non-carbonate grains.

    “Exposing these biological samples to dilute acid while observing under a light microscope generated visible bubbles of CO 2 (Figure 2f,i), thereby determining the presence of submicron-scale grains of carbonate minerals amongst non-carbonate grains [51].”

    From Strategizing carbon-neutral mines: A case for pilot projects (2014) · cites this paper as [51]

  • Experimental studies by Power et al. and Shirokova et al. have demonstrated cyanobacterially-mediated precipitation of Mg-carbonate minerals from Mg-HCO3 waters.

    “Experimental studies by Power et al. [51] and Shirokova et al. [119] have demonstrated cyanobacterially-mediated precipitation of Mg-carbonate minerals from Mg-HCO 3 waters.”

    From Strategizing carbon-neutral mines: A case for pilot projects (2014) · cites this paper as [51]

  • In previously unreported results, the consortium used by Power et al. was able to induce carbonate precipitation in experiments using water sourced from the open pit at Clinton Creek.

    “In previously unreported results, the consortium used by Power et al. [51] was able to induce carbonate precipitation in experiments using water sourced from the open pit at Clinton Creek.”

    From Strategizing carbon-neutral mines: A case for pilot projects (2014) · cites this paper as [51]

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Authors
Power, I. M., Wilson, S., Thom, J. M., Dipple, G. M., & Southam, G.
Affiliations
  • Western University (CA)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Power, Ian M
Venue
Geochemical Transactions
Published
2007-12-05
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
13-13
ISSN
1467-4866 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2040268201
Cited by
165
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 8
FWCI
3.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Geochemical Transactions (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Scholarship@Western (Western University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of British Columbia
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Microbial Applications in Construction Materials
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition
Keywords
dypingite, magnesium carbonate precipitation, cyanobacteria, microbial mats, nesquehonite, hydromagnesite, playa, Lyngbya, aragonite, carbonate isotopes, hypomagnesemia, eutrophication, microcosm experiments, biofilm

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