Microbes Facilitate Mineral Deposition in Bioelectrochemical Systems
By Gartman, A.; Picard, A.; Olins, H. C.; Sarode, N.; Clarke, D. R.; Girguis, P. R.
Published in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Abstract
Hydrothermal chimneys are striking, characteristic features of marine hydrothermal vents. These chimneys are dynamic environments occupied by a diversity of microbes whose distribution is typically concordant with mineralogy and temperature. Recent studies indicate that these chimney assemblages are conductive and present the possibility that microbial extracellular electron transfer may occur through these minerals, linking spatially separated electron donors and acceptors. Here we explore the relationships among biology, mineralogy, and electric potential in hydrothermal systems using crushed hydrothermal chimney as inoculum in high (75