Aerobic bacterial pyrite oxidation and acid rock drainage during the Great Oxidation Event

Kurt O. Konhauser (), Stefan V. Lalonde, Noah J. Planavsky, Ernesto Pecoits, Timothy W. Lyons, Stephen J. Mojzsis, Olivier J. Rouxel, Mark E. Barley, Carlos Rosìere, Phillip W. Fralick, Lee R. Kump and Andrey Bekker
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Kurt O. Konhauser: University of Alberta, Edmonton
Stefan V. Lalonde: University of Alberta, Edmonton
Noah J. Planavsky: University of California
Ernesto Pecoits: University of Alberta, Edmonton
Timothy W. Lyons: University of California
Stephen J. Mojzsis: University of Colorado at Boulder
Olivier J. Rouxel: Université Européene de Bretagne, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
Mark E. Barley: School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia
Carlos Rosìere: Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte
Phillip W. Fralick: Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
Lee R. Kump: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Andrey Bekker: University of Manitoba

Nature, 2011, vol. 478, issue 7369, 369-373

Abstract: Metal-respiring bacteria as atmospheric oxidation agents Free oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere for the first time around 2.5 billion years ago, in what is known as the Great Oxidation Event, which resulted in profound changes to biogeochemical cycling. Konhauser et al. examine rocks from this time and find that chromium was largely immobile on land until around the Great Oxidation Event, but that within the following 160 million years, it was solubilized on a large scale. The authors suggest that this mobilization was possible only through the action of aerobic, bacterial respiration on abundant supplies of pyrite. This early exploitation of atmospheric oxygen also represents the first record of acid rock drainage.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10511

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