Microbial Destruction of Feldspars

It now seems clear that feldspar weathering dynamics in natural systems is not well modelled by the typical inorganic and abiotic laboratory experiment. In particular, the role of micro-organisms in feldspar weathering has only recently been directly examined or documented. Mounting evidence, however suggests that bacteria attached to feldspar surfaces can greatly accelerate the rate of feldspar dissolution, but two important questions remain why, and how. Here we report the results of field experiments combined with parallel laboratory experiments that help constrain the question of how, and suggests a hypothesis for why; microorganisms may destroy feldspars to gain access to trace or limiting nutrients, primarily by the production of organic ligands.