Microbially mediated cobalt oxidation in seawater revealed by radiotracer experiments

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Limnology and Oceanography; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1993.38.8.1593· OSTI ID:7061951

Lee, B G; Fisher, N S ^[1]

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1. Marine Sciences Research Center, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY (United States)

The influence of microbial activity on Co and Mn oxidation in decomposing diatom cultures was determined with radiotracer techniques. Adding a consortium of microorganisms collected from coastal seawater (0.2-3-[mu]m size fraction) to the cultures increased particulate Co formation rates at 18[degrees]C by an order of magnitude (to 3.8% d[sup [minus]1]) and particulate Mn formation rates 3-fold (to 7.9% d[sup [minus]]1) over rates in cultures without added microorganisms. The rates of both particulate Co and Mn formation increased with incubation temperature (Q[sub 10] = 2.5-2.9 for Co and 1.3-1.8 for Mn; T = 4-18[degrees]C) and were faster in the dark than in the light. Ascorbic acid (used as a reducing agent) rinses of particulate Co and Mn indicated that these particles were primarily formed by the oxidation of Co(II) and Mn(II) to metal oxides. By manipulating Mn:Co ratios the authors showed that formation of particulate Co is directly mediated by microbial activity rather than Co adsorption to or oxidation by Mn oxides. The results help explain the scavenged-type profile exhibited by Co in water column and the high K[sub a]s of Co in marine sediments. 34 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 7061951
• Journal Information: Limnology and Oceanography; (United States), Vol. 38:8; ISSN 0024-3590
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COBALT
OXIDATION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
MANGANESE
MICROORGANISMS
BIOCONVERSION
REDOX PROCESS
OPTIMIZATION
OCEANOGRAPHY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
METALS
REPROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)