Bioweathering has been defined as the dissolution of rocks and mineral substrates carried out by microorganisms through mechanical and chemical processes. The application of bacteria in biomining is a biotechnological approach for the extraction and recovery of metals from ores. Microbes interact with minerals as a strategy to colonize and exploit habitats where the environmental parameters disadvantage other microorganisms and they demonstrate the capacity to scavenge critical elements with low bioavailability, such as iron and phosphorus. There is an ongoing need to improve soil fertility and crop production, particularly in dry places, to remediate toxic soils, and to clean stone artworks and structures. A more complete understanding of the ecology of mineral weathering processes mediated by the microbiome may provide a significant opportunity for researchers to develop novel solutions to developing challenges in agriculture, the environment, and industry.
Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by contributing to the release of key nutrients from primary minerals that are required not only for their own nutrition but also for that of plants. They are also involved in element biotransformation’s and biogeochemical cycling, metal, and mineral transformations, decomposition, bioweathering, and soil and sediment formation. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The capability of microorganisms to convert insoluble forms of mineral nutrients into easy and absorbable forms makes them very effective strategist in mineral deficient soils. The phenomenon of making minerals available in soils is referred as mineral solubilization. This strategy could also be important in enhancing crop productivity. These microorganisms could be referred as bio-agents that solubilize the fixed form of minerals into the available form. The current research topic will provide brief knowledge of several mineral solubilizing microorganisms, with special emphasis on their role in enhancing plants productivity. Apart from minerals solubilization, whether these organisms are involved in weathering and bioremediation.
Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms
• Potassium solubilizing microorganisms
• Zinc solubilizing microorganisms
• Iron solubilizing microorganisms
• Selenium solubilizing microorganisms
• Manganese solubilizing microorganisms
• Silicate solubilizing microorganisms
• Minerals weathering microorganisms
• Mineral’s bioremediation and detoxification
• Bioleaching of nutrients due to microorganisms
• Mineral-microbe interactions
• Biomining of minerals
• Extraction and recovery of metals
Bioweathering has been defined as the dissolution of rocks and mineral substrates carried out by microorganisms through mechanical and chemical processes. The application of bacteria in biomining is a biotechnological approach for the extraction and recovery of metals from ores. Microbes interact with minerals as a strategy to colonize and exploit habitats where the environmental parameters disadvantage other microorganisms and they demonstrate the capacity to scavenge critical elements with low bioavailability, such as iron and phosphorus. There is an ongoing need to improve soil fertility and crop production, particularly in dry places, to remediate toxic soils, and to clean stone artworks and structures. A more complete understanding of the ecology of mineral weathering processes mediated by the microbiome may provide a significant opportunity for researchers to develop novel solutions to developing challenges in agriculture, the environment, and industry.
Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by contributing to the release of key nutrients from primary minerals that are required not only for their own nutrition but also for that of plants. They are also involved in element biotransformation’s and biogeochemical cycling, metal, and mineral transformations, decomposition, bioweathering, and soil and sediment formation. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The capability of microorganisms to convert insoluble forms of mineral nutrients into easy and absorbable forms makes them very effective strategist in mineral deficient soils. The phenomenon of making minerals available in soils is referred as mineral solubilization. This strategy could also be important in enhancing crop productivity. These microorganisms could be referred as bio-agents that solubilize the fixed form of minerals into the available form. The current research topic will provide brief knowledge of several mineral solubilizing microorganisms, with special emphasis on their role in enhancing plants productivity. Apart from minerals solubilization, whether these organisms are involved in weathering and bioremediation.
Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms
• Potassium solubilizing microorganisms
• Zinc solubilizing microorganisms
• Iron solubilizing microorganisms
• Selenium solubilizing microorganisms
• Manganese solubilizing microorganisms
• Silicate solubilizing microorganisms
• Minerals weathering microorganisms
• Mineral’s bioremediation and detoxification
• Bioleaching of nutrients due to microorganisms
• Mineral-microbe interactions
• Biomining of minerals
• Extraction and recovery of metals
