Carbonate and Phosphate Precipitation by Saline Soil Bacteria in a Monitored Culture Medium

Abstract

Carbonate and phosphate precipitation by bacteria isolated from a saline soil was studied in vitro in a liquid culture medium over 45 days. Physicochemical parameters of this medium were continuously monitored using both selective electrodes (continuous monitoring, CM) and individual measurements by other techniques on days 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35 and 45 (discontinuous monitoring, DM). In DM, the precipitated minerals were studied (XRD and SEM-EDX) and the saturation index of the mineral phases was analyzed (PHREEQC program). Using the CM and DM data it was possible to distinguish several temporary stages in which both the medium and the mineralogy changed: 1) 0 to 10 days: pH reaches 8.4; significant loss of Mg²⁺ (incorporated into the bacterial biomass) and Ca²⁺ (through mineral precipitation); formation of crystals, although not in sufficient quantity to be studied until day 10. 2) 10 to 25 days: pH decreases but remains above 8; appreciable loss of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ due to formation of spherical carbonate bioliths with traces of phosphates occluded within these carbonates. 3) After 25 days: biomineralization slow down; pH returns to initial values and struvite is formed (idiomorphic prismatic crystals). These trends are in agreement with the findings of other workers, although with some peculiarities regarding stages and types of mineral precipitated. In some cases the struvite contained small quantities of K and Ca, possibly because these are intermediate mineral species between typic-struvite, K-struvite and Ca-struvite. The bacteria-mediated precipitation of carbonates of Ca and/or Mg and phosphates (struvite) by the bacteria from a saline soil is demonstrated. However, struvite was not found in the soils of origin of the bacteria, possibly because it is a metastable mineral in most soils.

Keywords:

• biomineralization
• aragonite
• magnesium calcite
• struvite
• selective electrodes
• halophilic soil bacteria

Acknowledgments

This paper is dedicated in memoriam to Dr. Jaime Íñiguez Herrero (1931–2006) Professor of Soil Science, University of Navarra and University of Granada. This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science project no. CGL2008-04456/BTE. We also thank Robert Abrahams BSc for translating the manuscript into English.