Experimental Studies Reveal Bacteriophages Can Affect Precipitation of Mineral Phases

Abstract

Interesting properties and abundance of bacteriophages suggest their potential effect on precipitation of various minerals. Here we present an experimental study regarding the influence of two different bacteriophages (Escherichia phage P1 and Pseudomonas phage Φ6) on mineral precipitation. A wide range of instrumental techniques was implemented: epifluorescence microscopy (binding of phages to mineral particles); laser diffraction (size distribution); X-ray powder diffraction (mineral phases composition); ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (for better characterization of iron-bearing mineral phases); and transmission electron microscopy coupled with microcrystal-electron diffraction (for characterization of mineral particles precipitated with bacteriophages). We showed that bacteriophages can affect mineral precipitation, especially for carbonate and iron-bearing mineral phases. Bacteriophages can increase or reduce the average size of particles or agglomerates of particles depending on the type of mineral phase. It was clearly visible for carbonates, phosphates, and Fe-oxides. Importantly, changes in mineral composition of the studied mineral phases were also noted. It is therefore assumed that bacteriophages may have industrial but also environmental implications on precipitation of minerals.