Do bacterial viruses affect framboid-like mineral formation?

[摘要] Framboidal pyrite has been a matter of interest of many studies due to its abundance in a wide range of environments and being a marker of redoxconditions. However, the clear origin of framboidal pyrite remains unresolved. Our studies are preliminary laboratory investigations on theinfluence of the shape and physicochemical properties of bacteriophages on the synthesis of framboid-like structures. This paper discusses thepossible role of bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) in the precipitation of sulfide minerals ( FeS and CuS ) and their impact on theformation of framboid-like structures. Here, two bacteriophages ( Escherichia phage P1 and Pseudomonas phage Φ 6),which differ significantly in shape and physicochemical properties, were used. Our observations suggest that viruses may bind ions from thesolution. Moreover, we showed that bacteriophages P1 can lead to the formation of finer mineral particles of FeS and CuS , whereas theframboid-like structures were found only in experiments with precipitation of FeS . However, the lipid-enveloped Pseudomonas phage Φ 6 did not cause the formation of similar structures. It is assumed that Escherichia phage P1 can promote the formation of FeS -based framboid-like or spherical structures. The proposed four-step conceptualized mechanism facilitating the framboid-like structuresynthesis via viruses is as follows: (i) binding of ions by capsids, (ii) bacteriophages behaving like a crystallization surface, (iii) destabilizationof the colloid ( ζ  potential  ±  0), and (iv) formation of fine agglomerates and subsequent formation of small crystallites. Further studies arerequired to find all factors that may be affected by bacteriophages during sulfide precipitation. In addition, it is important to consider virusespresent in sedimentation environments, despite possible difficulties in laboratory culturing. The consideration of such viruses may make laboratorytesting more valid in terms of sedimentation environments.

[学科分类] 大气科学