The Ability of Basalt to Leach Nutrients and Support Growth of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 Depends on Basalt Composition and Element Release

ABSTRACT

The influence of different rock mineralogical compositions on element leaching and bio-weathering processes is poorly understood. Here, the role of basalt composition on nutrient leaching (calcium, iron, phosphorus or magnesium) and subsequent support of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 growth was evaluated. Seven different basalts were examined. In iron-limiting media, growth could be restored for all basalts tested, while only two basalts could restore growth in magnesium-limiting medium. Only for magnesium growth complementation was correlated with the composition of the basalts tested. Our results showed that basalt composition can affect leaching and availability of different elements, in turn, affecting bacterial growth.

KEYWORDS:

• Basalt
• Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34
• flow cytometry
• growth

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Compliance with ethical standards

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Space Agency (ESA-PRODEX), Belgian Science Policy (BESLPO) through the E-GEM/BIOROCK project and the Inter-University Attraction Pole (IUAP) “μ-manager” funded by the Belgian Science Policy (BE, 305 P7/25).