Reductive dissolution of pyrite by methanogenic archaea

Payne, Devon; Spietz, Rachel L.; Boyd, Eric S.

doi:10.1038/s41396-021-01028-3

Reductive dissolution of pyrite by methanogenic archaea

Journal Article · Thu Jun 10 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · The ISME Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-01028-3· OSTI ID:1787700

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Abstract

The formation and fate of pyrite (FeS2) modulates global iron, sulfur, carbon, and oxygen biogeochemical cycles and has done so since early in Earth’s geological history. A longstanding paradigm is that FeS2 is stable at low temperature and is unavailable to microorganisms in the absence of oxygen and oxidative weathering. Here, we show that methanogens can catalyze the reductive dissolution of FeS2 at low temperature (≤38 °C) and utilize dissolution products to meet cellular iron and sulfur demands associated with the biosynthesis of simple and complex co-factors. Direct access to FeS2 is required to catalyze its reduction and/or to assimilate iron monosulfide that likely forms through coupled reductive dissolution and precipitation, consistent with close associations observed between cells and FeS2. These findings demonstrate that FeS2 is bioavailable to anaerobic methanogens and can be mobilized in low temperature anoxic environments. Given that methanogens evolved at least 3.46 Gya, these data indicate that the microbial contribution to the iron and sulfur cycles in ancient and contemporary anoxic environments may be more complex and robust than previously recognized, with impacts on the sources and sinks of iron and sulfur and other bio-essential and thiophilic elements such as nickel and cobalt.

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Research Organization:: Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0020246

OSTI ID:: 1787700

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1813459
OSTI ID: 1831431

Journal Information:: The ISME Journal, Journal Name: The ISME Journal Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 15; ISSN 1751-7362

Publisher:: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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