Sediment mineralogy influences the rate of microbial sulfate reduction in marine sediments

Sedimentary microbial communities play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, oxidizing deposited organic and thus influencing type of buried from Earth's surface. The rate metabolism within sedimentary is often linked to lability amount deposited. Here we show that, pure culture, for sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio bizertensis) sulfate reduction function proportion clay minerals present incubation vials. We argue that presence stimulates growth at which consumed; conclude this not nutrients on but rather high specific surface area minerals. further use compilation pore fluid data demonstrate these observations can be seen marine sediments, concentration gradients sediments correlate with percentage sediment. Our findings suggest sediment mineralogy influences activity has heretofore been considered.