Early geodynamic processes modeled the surface of the Earth, providing suitable environments and energy sources for the development of life. Studying the ancient biogeochemical cycles is thus a valuable way to understand the physicochemical conditions of the early environments, such as the redox state of the primitive oceans and the atmosphere. To investigate early biogeochemistries, the measur...

Coal mine drainage refers to the acidic drainage caused by surface mining, deep mining or coal refuse piles. Being highly acidic with elevated levels of dissolved metals, it is otherwise known as “Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)”. Formation of AMD is due to a series of geochemical and microbiological processes involving acidophilic chemolithotrophs such as Thiobacillus, Thiomispora, Leptospirillum etc...

Phylogenetic analysis indicates that microbial arsenic metabolism is ancient and probably extends back to the primordial Earth. In microbial biofilms growing on the rock surfaces of anoxic brine pools fed by hot springs containing arsenite and sulfide at high concentrations, we discovered light-dependent oxidation of arsenite [As(III)] to arsenate [As(V)] occurring under anoxic conditions. The ...

Abstract The use of autotrophic microorganisms to fabricate biochemical products has attracted much attention in both academia and industry. Unlike heterotrophic that require carbohydrates amino acids for growth, have evolved utilize either light (photoautotrophs) or chemical compounds (chemolithotrophs) fix carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) drive metabolic processes. Several biotechnological approaches, ...

A multitude of microbes are involved in the solubilisation of minerals and metals as this approach offers numerous advantages over traditional methods. This strategy is preferred as it is eco-friendly and economical, thus overcoming the drawbacks of the traditional approach of pyrometallurgy. Many different types of bacteria are employed in the process of Bioleaching, which are collectively gro...

We present a comprehensive model of martian pressure-temperature (P-T) phase space and compare it with that of Earth. Martian P-T conditions compatible with liquid water extend to a depth of ∼310 km. We use our phase space model of Mars and of terrestrial life to estimate the depths and extent of the water on Mars that is habitable for terrestrial life. We find an extensive overlap between inha...