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Precipitation of minerals by 22 species of moderately halophilic bacteria in artificial marine salts media: Influence of salt concentration

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Abstract

Precipitation of minerals was shown by 22 species of moderately halophilic bacteria in both solid and liquid artificial marine salts media at different concentration and different Mg2+-to-Ca2+ ratio. Precipitation of minerals was observed for all the bacteria used. When salt concentration increased, the quantity and the size of bioliths decreased, the time required for precipitation being increased. The precipitated minerals were calcite, magnesian calcite, aragonite, dolomite, monohydrocalcite, hydromagnesite and struvite in variable proportions, depending on the bacterial species, the salinity and the physical state of the medium; the Mg content of the magnesian calcite also varied according to the same parameters. The precipitated minerals do not correspond exactly to those which could be precipitated inorganically according to the saturation indices. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the formation of the bioliths is initiated by grouping of calcified cells and that the dominant final morphologies were spherulitic with fibrous radiated interiors. It was demonstrated that moderately halophilic bacteria play an active role in the precipitation of carbonates and we hypothesize about this process of biomineralization.

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Abbreviations

SI:

saturation index

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, España

    M. A. Rivadeneyra & A. Ramos-Cormenzana

  2. Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, España

    R. Delgado, J. Párraga & G. Delgado

Authors
  1. M. A. Rivadeneyra
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  2. R. Delgado
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  3. J. Párraga
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  4. A. Ramos-Cormenzana
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  5. G. Delgado
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Delgado.

Additional information

This study was supported by theSpanish Ministry of Science and Technology project no. REN2003-09136. SEM images were carried out by theServicio de Microscopía Electrónica de la Facultad de Farmacia (University of Granada).

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Rivadeneyra, M.A., Delgado, R., Párraga, J. et al. Precipitation of minerals by 22 species of moderately halophilic bacteria in artificial marine salts media: Influence of salt concentration. Folia Microbiol 51, 445–453 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931589

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931589

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