Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in deeply buried sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Research Article| October 01, 1990 Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in deeply buried sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Derek R. Lovley; Derek R. Lovley 1Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, 430 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Francis H. Chapelle; Francis H. Chapelle 2Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, 1835 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elizabeth J.P. Phillips Elizabeth J.P. Phillips 1Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, 430 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1990) 18 (10): 954–957. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0954:FIRBID>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Derek R. Lovley, Francis H. Chapelle, Elizabeth J.P. Phillips; Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in deeply buried sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Geology 1990;; 18 (10): 954–957. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0954:FIRBID>2.3.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The possibility that microorganisms are catalyzing the ongoing reduction of Fe(III) in the sediments of deep (20-250 m) aquifers was investigated. Acetate-oxidizing, Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were recovered from deep subsurface sediments, but only from sediments in which it appeared that Fe(III) reduction was the terminal electron-accepting process for oxidation of organic matter. The Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms were capable of reducing ferric oxides present in deep subsurface sediments. Although Fe(III) reduction in subsurface sediments is frequently regarded as an abiological reaction, the enzymatic reduction of Fe(III) by microorganisms reported here is the first mechanism of any kind actually shown to have the potential to couple the oxidation of organic matter to carbon dioxide with the reduction of Fe(III) under the environmental conditions typically found in deep aquifers. We propose that microbially catalyzed Fe(III) reduction is responsible for such late postdepositional phenomena as the formation of variegated red beds and the release of high concentrations of dissolved iron into anaerobic ground waters. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.