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Microbial Transformation of Metals in Relation to the Biogeochemical Cycle

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Chemistry of Aquatic Systems: Local and Global Perspectives

Part of the book series: EUROCOURSES ((EUCE,volume 5))

Abstract

Microbial trasformations and interactions with metals are reviewed in relation to the biogeochemical cycle. Different strategies have been developed by microorganisms to cope with essential and toxic metals. The molecular mechanisms of metal resistance and metal transport are well known from the results of recombinant DNA analysis, sequencing and identification of the protein components involved in regulatory and membrane functions. Other mechanisms of metal interactions have only been studied at physiological level. The bioaccumulation of metals is discussed especially biological mineralization, in which bacteria are the nucleation sites for authigenic mineral formation in the enviroment. The environmental importance of the opposite process, namely mineral ore oxidation due to the biological leaching of metals from the ore reserve pool is also discussed. The paper touches on biological mining (biohydrometallurgy), now applied to metal leaching of sewage and industrial wastes. Moreover, it is presented the controversial question of the abiotic versus biological origin of metal methylation in the environment. Metal volatilization by metal alkylation and biohydrization important processes of metal mobilization in the biogeochemical cycle are also introduced.

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  1. Department of Environmental Biology, University of Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli, 4, I-53100, Siena, Italy

    F. Baldi

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  1. Joint Research Centre, Environment Institute, Commission of the European Communities, Ispra, Italy

    Giovanni Bidoglio

  2. Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, EAWAG, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Werner Stumm

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Baldi, F. (1994). Microbial Transformation of Metals in Relation to the Biogeochemical Cycle. In: Bidoglio, G., Stumm, W. (eds) Chemistry of Aquatic Systems: Local and Global Perspectives. EUROCOURSES, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1024-4_6

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