Publication
Title
Cable bacteria delay euxinia and modulate phosphorus release in coastal hypoxic systems
Author
Abstract
Cable bacteria are long, filamentous bacteria with a unique metabolism involving centimetre-scale electron transport. They are widespread in the sediment of seasonally hypoxic systems and their metabolic activity stimulates the dissolution of iron sulfides (FeS), releasing large quantities of ferrous iron (Fe2+) into the pore water. Upon contact with oxygen, Fe2+ oxidation forms a layer of iron(oxyhydr)oxides (FeOx), which in its turn can oxidize free sulfide (H2S) and trap phosphorus (P) diffusing upward. The metabolism of cable bacteria could thus prevent the release of H2S from the sediment and reduce the risk of euxinia, while at the same time modulating P release over seasonal timescales. However, experimental support for this so-called 'iron firewall hypothesis' is scarce. Here, we collected natural sediment in a seasonally hypoxic basin in three different seasons. Undisturbed sediment cores were incubated under anoxic conditions and the effluxes of H2S, dissolved iron (dFe) and phosphate (PO4 3-) were monitored for up to 140 days. Cores with recent cable bacterial activity revealed a high stock of sedimentary FeOx, which delayed the efflux of H2S for up to 102 days. Our results demonstrate that the iron firewall mechanism could exert an important control on the prevalence of euxinia and regulate the P release in coastal oceans.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Royal Society Open Science
Publication
2024
ISSN
2054-5703
DOI
10.1098/RSOS.231991
Volume/pages
11 :4 (2024) , p. 1-15
Article Reference
231991
ISI
001203483500001
Pubmed ID
38633354
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Biogeochemical cycling, redox transformations and microbial actors in electrified sediment ecosystems.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.05.2024
Last edited 08.05.2024
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