Iron in Microbial Metabolisms

Research Article| April 01, 2011 IRON IN MICROBIAL METABOLISMS Kurt O. Konhauser; Kurt O. Konhauser 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada E-mail: kurtk@ualberta.ca Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andreas Kappler; Andreas Kappler 2Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences University of Tübingen Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eric E. Roden Eric E. Roden 3Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, WI 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2011) 7 (2): 89–93. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.2.89 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kurt O. Konhauser, Andreas Kappler, Eric E. Roden; IRON IN MICROBIAL METABOLISMS. Elements 2011;; 7 (2): 89–93. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.2.89 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Microbes are intimately involved in the iron cycle. First, acquisition of iron by microorganisms for biochemical requirements is a key process in the iron cycle in oxygenated, circumneutral pH environments, where the solubility of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides is extremely low. Second, a number of aerobic (using O2) and anaerobic (living in the absence of O2) autotrophic bacteria gain energy for growth from the oxidation of dissolved and solid-phase Fe(II) compounds to Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Third, heterotrophic Fe(III)-reducing bacteria close the chemical loop by reducing solid-phase Fe(III) minerals back to dissolved and solid-phase Fe(II). Together these metabolic processes control the partitioning of the Earth's fourth most abundant crustal element, and they are additionally tied to the cycling of several major nutrients (e.g. carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur) and trace elements (e.g. phosphorus, nickel) in modern and ancient environments. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.