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Aerobic bacterial pyrite oxidation and acid rock drainage during the Great Oxidation Event

Author

Listed:
  • Kurt O. Konhauser

    (University of Alberta, Edmonton)

  • Stefan V. Lalonde

    (University of Alberta, Edmonton
    Université Européene de Bretagne, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer)

  • Noah J. Planavsky

    (University of California)

  • Ernesto Pecoits

    (University of Alberta, Edmonton)

  • Timothy W. Lyons

    (University of California)

  • Stephen J. Mojzsis

    (University of Colorado at Boulder)

  • Olivier J. Rouxel

    (Université Européene de Bretagne, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
    IFREMER, Centre de Brest)

  • Mark E. Barley

    (School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia)

  • Carlos Rosìere

    (Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte)

  • Phillip W. Fralick

    (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay)

  • Lee R. Kump

    (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

  • Andrey Bekker

    (University of Manitoba)

Abstract

Metal-respiring bacteria as atmospheric oxidation agents Free oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere for the first time around 2.5 billion years ago, in what is known as the Great Oxidation Event, which resulted in profound changes to biogeochemical cycling. Konhauser et al. examine rocks from this time and find that chromium was largely immobile on land until around the Great Oxidation Event, but that within the following 160 million years, it was solubilized on a large scale. The authors suggest that this mobilization was possible only through the action of aerobic, bacterial respiration on abundant supplies of pyrite. This early exploitation of atmospheric oxygen also represents the first record of acid rock drainage.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurt O. Konhauser & Stefan V. Lalonde & Noah J. Planavsky & Ernesto Pecoits & Timothy W. Lyons & Stephen J. Mojzsis & Olivier J. Rouxel & Mark E. Barley & Carlos Rosìere & Phillip W. Fralick & Lee R. , 2011. "Aerobic bacterial pyrite oxidation and acid rock drainage during the Great Oxidation Event," Nature, Nature, vol. 478(7369), pages 369-373, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:478:y:2011:i:7369:d:10.1038_nature10511
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10511
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongping He & Xiao Wu & Haiyang Xian & Jianxi Zhu & Yiping Yang & Ying Lv & Yiliang Li & Kurt O. Konhauser, 2021. "An abiotic source of Archean hydrogen peroxide and oxygen that pre-dates oxygenic photosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Ernest Chi Fru & Jalila Al Bahri & Christophe Brosson & Olabode Bankole & Jérémie Aubineau & Abderrazzak El Albani & Alexandra Nederbragt & Anthony Oldroyd & Alasdair Skelton & Linda Lowhagen & David , 2023. "Transient fertilization of a post-Sturtian Snowball ocean margin with dissolved phosphate by clay minerals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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