Magnetite is a redox-active mineral that can form from both abiotic and biotic processes, and plays an active role in different biogeochemical cycles. Biogenic magnetite particles have properties that differ from their abiogenic counterparts in a variety of ways, including their size, chemical purity, magnetic properties, and association with biomass-derived organic matter. These properties directly influence magnetite reactivity—in particular its sorbent and redox behavior—affecting its association with metals, oxyanions, and other compounds in the environment. Biogenic (and abiogenic) magnetite particles are involved in redox processes by storing electrons, functioning as biogeobatteries, and by transferring electrons between microbial cells or between cells and inorganic constituents. Thus, magnetite influences the fate of contaminants and nutrients in the environment.
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Research Article|
August 01, 2023
Impact of Biogenic Magnetite Formation and Transformation on Biogeochemical Cycles
Andreas Kappler;
Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
E-mail: andreas.kappler@uni-tuebingen.de
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Aaron Thompson;
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
E-mail: aaront@uga.edu
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Muammar Mansor
Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
E-mail: muammar.mansor@uni-tuebingen.de
Search for other works by this author on:
Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
E-mail: andreas.kappler@uni-tuebingen.de
E-mail: muammar.mansor@uni-tuebingen.de
E-mail: aaront@uga.edu
Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America
First Online:
06 Nov 2023
Online ISSN: 1811-5217
Print ISSN: 1811-5209
Copyright © 2023 by the Mineralogical Society of America
Mineralogical Society of America
Elements (2023) 19 (4): 222–227.
Article history
First Online:
06 Nov 2023
Citation
Andreas Kappler, Aaron Thompson, Muammar Mansor; Impact of Biogenic Magnetite Formation and Transformation on Biogeochemical Cycles. Elements 2023;; 19 (4): 222–227. doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.19.4.222
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