Scientists from the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) have understood how the co-evolution of minerals and microbes progresses, and they have also shown what benefits can be derived from it. Article published in the journal National Science Review.
Many minerals provide protection and provide nutrients and/or energy for microbial life. On the contrary, some can release biotoxic substances and produce reactive oxygen species that restrict or even kill microorganisms. In turn, microbes actively dissolve, precipitate and transform minerals, leaving their traces in the geological record. Scientists have even shown that minerals played a role in the origin of life by speeding up the reactions needed for this to happen. Microbes are no less important. For example, they are responsible for the formation of some large mineral deposits.
The study’s authors believe that minerals may be an integral part of the metabolism of some microbes that can’t be grown in a lab — because biologists don’t see minerals as an important source of nutrients and energy. Also, understanding the features that distinguish biogenic minerals from abiogenic minerals will enable us to search for more productive life on other planets. Mineral-microbial interactions have many biotechnological applications, including extraction of precious metals, production of mineral fertilizers, removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants, biosynthesis of new materials, and sequestration of carbon dioxide.