Bioremediacion

remediacionJournal of Biotechnology 157 (2012) 473–481

Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect

Journal of Biotechnology
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jbiotec

Mineral–microbe interactions: Biotechnological potential of bioweathering
Francesca Mapelli a , Ramona Marasco a , Annalisa Balloi a,b , Eleonora Rolli a , Francesca Cappitelli a , Daniele Daffonchio a ,Sara Borin a,∗
a b

Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy Micro4yoU S.r.l., via Carlo Freguglia 2, 20122 Milan, Italy

a r t i c l e

i n f o

a b s t r a c t
Mineral–microbe interaction has been a key factor shaping the lithosphere of our planet since the Precambrian. Detailed investigationhas been mainly focused on the role of bioweathering in biomining processes, leading to the selection of highly efficient microbial inoculants for the recovery of metals. Here we expand this scenario, presenting additional applications of bacteria and fungi in mineral dissolution, a process with novel biotechnological potential that has been poorly investigated. The ability of microorganisms totrigger soil formation and to sustain plant establishment and growth are suggested as invaluable tools to counteract the expansion of arid lands and to increase crop productivity. Furthermore, interesting exploitations of mineral weathering microbes are represented by biorestoration and bioremediation technologies, innovative and competitive solutions characterized by economical and environmentaladvantages. Overall, in the future the study and application of the metabolic properties of microbial communities capable of weathering can represent a driving force in the expanding sector of environmental biotechnology. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Article history: Received 31 January 2011 Received in revised form 15 November 2011 Accepted 17 November 2011 Available online 26 November2011 Keywords: Mineral weathering Biomining Soil genesis Plant growth promotion Biorestoration Bioremediation

1. Introduction Bioweathering has been defined as the dissolution of rocks and mineral substrates carried out by microorganisms and plants through mechanical and chemical processes (Gadd, 2007). Microbial mineral weathering has been extensively studied on the role played by bacteria inbiomining, a biotechnological method for the extraction and recovery of metals from ores (Rawlings and Johnson, 2007). Bioweathering is not only a key process that impacted the evolution of the Earth’s surface over geological time but it also affects human life through its influence on water quality, soil development and agriculture, as well as monuments and statues preservation. Microbes interactwith minerals as a strategy to colonize and exploit habitats where the environmental parameters disadvantage other microorganisms (Ehrlich, 1996) and they show the ability to scavenge essential elements that have poor bioavailability, such as iron and phosphorus. The need to increase soil fertility and crop productivity, especially in arid lands, to remediate contaminated soils, to clean stoneartworks and buildings exist. A deeper insight into the ecology of mineral weathering processes mediated by the microbiome may represent a real opportunity for researchers to design innovative solutions to emerging problems in agriculture,

the environment and the industry. By developing the so called “Microbial Resource Management” strategy (Verstraete, 2007) mainly based on the enhancement of thenatural functional ability of the residing microbial communities, scientists will promote an environmental-friendly use of biotechnology. In this review we discuss the importance of bioweathering in different artificial and natural ecosystems, evaluating its potential in soil fertility, plant growth promotion, biorestoration and bioremediation of inorganic pollutants. 2. The ecology of microbial...