Biogenic Fe(III) minerals: From formation to diagenesis and preservation in the rock record

TY - JOUR

T1 - Biogenic Fe(III) minerals

T2 - From formation to diagenesis and preservation in the rock record

AU - Posth, N. R.

AU - Canfield, D. E.

AU - Kappler, A.

PY - 2014/8

Y1 - 2014/8

N2 - Fe-metabolizing bacteria are intimately linked to the cycling of Fe in modern environments and have likely been key players in the evolution of the Earth's biogeosphere. Fe minerals have also been suggested as a key preservative of cell organic matter in sediments, keeping otherwise labile phases conserved at least on time scales of 100,000. years. The interpretation of a biological influence on the Fe rock record is difficult without a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of biogenic Fe(III) and Fe(II) mineral formation, the character of these minerals, and their diagenesis over short and long time scales. Here, we present the recent advances in the study of abiogenic and biogenic Fe(III) minerals. In particular, we focus on the role of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in the deposition of ancient banded iron formations (BIF). We discuss this work within the framework of the main challenge: separating biogenic from abiogenic processes over deep time. We describe how efforts in isotope geochemistry, biomarker research, mineral analysis and biogeochemistry are helping to establish a window to the past. Finally, we present some new approaches that help investigate the main processes leading to the formation and potential fate of Fe-organic matter aggregates.

AB - Fe-metabolizing bacteria are intimately linked to the cycling of Fe in modern environments and have likely been key players in the evolution of the Earth's biogeosphere. Fe minerals have also been suggested as a key preservative of cell organic matter in sediments, keeping otherwise labile phases conserved at least on time scales of 100,000. years. The interpretation of a biological influence on the Fe rock record is difficult without a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of biogenic Fe(III) and Fe(II) mineral formation, the character of these minerals, and their diagenesis over short and long time scales. Here, we present the recent advances in the study of abiogenic and biogenic Fe(III) minerals. In particular, we focus on the role of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in the deposition of ancient banded iron formations (BIF). We discuss this work within the framework of the main challenge: separating biogenic from abiogenic processes over deep time. We describe how efforts in isotope geochemistry, biomarker research, mineral analysis and biogeochemistry are helping to establish a window to the past. Finally, we present some new approaches that help investigate the main processes leading to the formation and potential fate of Fe-organic matter aggregates.

KW - Ancient Earth

KW - Bacteria

KW - Banded iron formations

KW - Biogenic minerals

KW - Diagenesis

KW - Fe(II) oxidation

KW - Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides

U2 - 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.03.012

DO - 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.03.012

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0012-8252

VL - 135

SP - 103

EP - 121

JO - Earth-Science Reviews

JF - Earth-Science Reviews

ER -