Elucidating heterogeneous iron biomineralization patterns in a denitrifying As( <scp>iii</scp> )-oxidizing bacterium: implications for arsenic immobilization

Abstract

STEM nanodiffraction. Extracellular amorphous nanoparticles were formed earlier and retained more As(iii/v) than crystalline "flakes" of lepidocrocite, indicating that longer incubation periods promote the formation of more crystalline minerals with lower As retention capabilities. Thus, the addition of nitrate promotes Fe(ii) oxidation and formation of Fe(iii) biominerals by ST3 cells which retain As(iii/v), and although this process was metabolically detrimental to some cells, it warrants further examination as a viable mechanism for As removal in anoxic environments by biostimulation with nitrate.

Topics & Concepts