Microbial biosignatures in ancient deep‐sea hydrothermal sulfides

Geobiology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 21(3), P. 355 - 377

Published: Dec. 16, 2022

Abstract Deep‐sea hydrothermal systems provide ideal conditions for prebiotic reactions and ancient metabolic pathways and, therefore, might have played a pivotal role in the emergence of life. To understand this better, it is paramount to examine fundamental interactions between processes, non‐living matter, microbial life deep time. However, distribution diversity communities deep‐sea are still poorly constrained, so evolutionary, ecological relationships remain unclear. One important reason an insufficient understanding formation diagnostic biosignatures such settings their preservation through geological This contribution centers around Precambrian sulfide deposits. Intending valuable resource scientists from across natural sciences whose research concerned with origins life, we first introduce different types that can be preserved over timescales (rock fabrics textures, microfossils, mineral precipitates, carbonaceous trace metal, isotope geochemical signatures). We then review selected reports deposits discuss geobiological significance. Our survey highlights potentially encode information on environmental conditions, presence nature complex fluids, micro‐organisms, minerals. It further emphasizes interpretation these records challenging requires concerted application analytical experimental methods various fields, including geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, microbiology. Well‐orchestrated multidisciplinary studies allow us thus help unravel geobiology settings. This, turn, critical reconstructing life's early evolution Earth search elsewhere universe.

Language: Английский

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Molecular mechanisms and biomineralization processes of ferromanganese nodule formation: Insights its effect on nutrient imbalance and heavy metal immobilization in native soil profiles

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 105029 - 105029

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Biogenic calcium carbonate as evidence for life

Biogeosciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(19), P. 4135 - 4145

Published: Oct. 9, 2023

Abstract. The history of the Earth is a story co-evolution minerals and microbes: not only have numerous rocks arisen from life but also itself may formed rocks. To understand strong association between microbes inorganic substrates, we investigated moonmilk, calcium carbonate deposit possible microbial origin, occurring in Iron Age Etruscan necropolis Tarquinia, Italy. These tombs provide unique environment where hypogeal walls are covered by this speleothem. study moonmilk formation, bacterial community rock which were carved: calcarenite hybrid sandstone. We present first evidence that precipitation driven within on surfaces. describe how produced contributes to formation evolution. communities sandstone displayed, at phylum level, same pattern sampled tombs, suggesting originates metabolism an endolytic community. calcite known speleothem with undoubted biogenic thus representing robust credible biosignature life. Its presence inner parts adds its characteristics as biosignature.

Language: Английский

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Will tomorrow's mineral materials be grown?

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(9), P. 1713 - 1722

Published: July 31, 2023

Biomineralization, the capacity to form minerals, has evolved in a great diversity of bacterial lineages as an adaptation different environmental conditions and biological functions. Microbial biominerals often display original properties (morphology, composition, structure, association with organics) that significantly differ from those abiotically formed counterparts, altogether defining 'mineral phenotype'. In principle, it should be possible take advantage microbial biomineralization processes design biomanufacture advanced mineral materials for range technological applications. practice, this rarely been done so far only very limited number biomineral types. This is mainly due our poor understanding underlying molecular mechanisms controlling pathways, preventing us developing bioengineering strategies aiming at improving Another important challenge difficulty upscale lab industrial production. Addressing these challenges will require combining expertise microbiologists geomicrobiologists, who have historically working forefront research on microbe-mineral interactions, alongside bioengineers material scientists. Such interdisciplinary efforts may future allow emergence biomanufacturing industry, critical tool towards development more sustainable circular bioeconomies.

Language: Английский

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Quantitative mapping of calcium cell reservoirs in cyanobacteria at the submicrometer scale

Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 267, P. 147369 - 147369

Published: July 5, 2023

Language: Английский

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