Reduction of structural Fe(III) in oxyhydroxides by Shewanella decolorationis S12 and characterization of the surface properties of iron minerals

Abstract

Purpose Dissimilatory iron reduction is an important iron biogeochemical process in subsurface soils. Many researchers have studied the effects of various factors on this process. However, this process in the natural environment is complicated; thus, all the factors should be investigated systematically and simultaneously. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of Fe(III) availability, surface areas, and crystallinity on Fe(III) reduction in different buffers and to characterize the surface properties of iron minerals. Materials and methods Microbial reductions of four chemically synthesized iron(III) oxyhydroxides [i.e., hydrous ferric oxide (HFO), α-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, and α-Fe2O3] were conducted in batch cultures inoculated with an ironreducing bacterium, Shewanella decolorationis S12, in