Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lipid Evidence for Oil Depletion by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria during U Mineralization in the Dongsheng Deposit

  • Mineral Deposits
  • Published:
Journal of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fatty acids were extracted from fluid inclusions, and analyzed for distribution and individual δ13C values to determine if there exists sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and what substrates SRB depleted during U mineralization in the Dongsheng deposit. The 10-methylhexadecanoic acid (10Me16:0) has been detected from most of the samples using GC-MS based on relative retention time and co-injection of standard 10Me16:0 compound. Samples with higher 10Me16:0 concentrations, show higher U contents. The presence of 10Me16:0 along with iso-ω7-cis-heptadecenoic acid (i17:1ω7c) and ω7-cis-octadecenoic acid (18:1ω7c) in the fluid inclusions may indicate the occurrence of SRB during the U mineralization. Saturated fatty-acids and unsaturated fatty-acids detected in this study have individual δ13C values from -30.3‰ to -28.5‰ and -30.5‰ to -27.9‰, respectively. These values are close to those of n-alkanes of the associated oils and the bulk oils, but significantly distinct from methane, thus the oils are concluded to have been used as substrate for the microorganisms to survive on. This proposal is supported by oil biodegradation and ore-stage calcite cement with δ13C values from -1.4‰ to -17.2‰.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Abdelouas, A., Lutze, W., Gong, W. L., et al., 2000. Biological Reduction of Uranium in Groundwater and Subsurface Soil. Science of The Total Environment, 250(1/2/3): 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0048-9697(99)00549-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aharon, P., Fu, B. S., 2000. Microbial Sulfate Reduction Rates and Sulfur and Oxygen Isotope Fractionations at Oil and Gas Seeps in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64(2): 233–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-7037(99)00292-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Apon, J. M. B., Nicolaides, N., 1975. The Determination of the Position Isomers of the Methyl Branched Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Capillary GC/MS. Journal of Chromatographic Science, 13(10): 467–473. https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/13.10.467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arning, E. T., Birgel, D., Schulz-Vogt, H. N., et al., 2008. Lipid Biomarker Patterns of Phosphogenic Sediments from Upwelling Regions. Geomicrobiology Journal, 25(2): 69–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490450801934854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beech, I. B., Cheung, W. S., 1995. Interactions of Exopolymers Produced by Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria with Metal Ions. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 35(1/2/3): 330. https://doi.org/10.1016/0964-8305(95)90028-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brookins, D. G., 1976. Position of Uraninite and/or Coffinite Accumulations to the Hematite-Pyrite Interface in Sandstone-Type Deposits. Economic Geology, 71(5): 944–948. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.71.5.944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, C. F., Dong, H. L., Li, H. T., et al., 2007a. Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence for Coupled Bacterial Uranium Mineralization and Hydrocarbon Oxidation in the Shashagetai Deposit, NW China. Chemical Geology, 236(1/2): 167–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2006.09.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, C. F., Li, H. T., Qin, M. K., et al., 2007b. Biogenic and Petroleum-Related Ore-Forming Processes in Dongsheng Uranium Deposit, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 32(1/2): 262–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2006.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, C. F., Li, H. T., Luo, X. R., 2005. Petroleum-Related Origin for Sandstone-Hosted Uranium Deposits in the Dongsheng Area, Ordos Basin (China). In: Mao, J. W., Bierlein, F. P., eds., Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. 229–232

  • Canfield, D. E., Farquhar, J., Zerkle, A. L., 2010. High Isotope Fractionations during Sulfate Reduction in a Low-Sulfate Euxinic Ocean Analog. Geology, 38(5): 415–418. https://doi.org/10.1130/g30723.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, N. J. E., Widdel, F., White, D. C., 1986. Phospholipid Ester-Linked Fatty Acid Biomarkers of Acetate-Oxidizing Sulphate-Reducers and other Sulphide-Forming Bacteria. Microbiology, 132(7): 1815–1825. https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-132-7-1815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan, Y., Song, J. M., Zhang, H., 2004. Carbon Isotopic Studies of Individual Lipids in Organisms from the Nansha Sea Area, China. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences, 47(7): 593–598. https://doi.org/10.1360/03yd0561

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan, Y., Luo, B. J., Qian, J. S., et al., 1996. Study on Organic Geochemistry of Fatty Acids in Recent Sediments from Nansha Sea Area. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 16: 23–31 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, Y., Ma, L. H., 1996. Several Problems Concerned with Stable Carbon Isotopic Geochemistry of Biomarker Compounds. Advance in Earth Sciences, 11: 31–36 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, Y., Wen, Q. B., Luo, B. J., 1995. Carbon Isotopic Compositions and Origin of Individual Fatty Acids in Modern Sediments. Geochimica, 24: 270–275 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, Y., Wen, Q. B., Zheng, G. D., et al., 1997. Isotopic Composition and Probable Origin of Individual Fatty Acids in Modern Sediments from Ruoergai Marsh and Nansha Sea, China. Organic Geochemistry, 27(7/8): 583–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0146-6380(97)00072-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elvert, M., Boetius, A., Knittel, K., et al., 2003. Characterization of Specific Membrane Fatty Acids as Chemotaxonomic Markers for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Involved in Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane. Geomicrobiology Journal, 20(4): 403–419. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490450303894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, S. C., Ahmed, M., Liu, K. Y., et al., 2004. The Analysis of Oil Trapped during Secondary Migration. Organic Geochemistry, 35(11/12): 1489–1511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2004.07.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Habicht, K. S., Canfield, D. E., 1997. Sulfur Isotope Fractionation during Bacterial Sulfate Reduction in Organic-Rich Sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61(24): 5351–5361. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-7037(97)00311-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, L., Cai, C. F., Zhang, Y. D., et al., 2012. Lipids of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria Found in the Dongsheng Uranium Deposit. Chinese Science Bulletin, 57(11): 1311–1319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-011-4955-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, R., Nongkhlaw, M., Acharya, C., et al., 2013a. Uranium (U)-Tolerant Bacterial Diversity from U Ore Deposit of Domiasiat in North-East India and Its Prospective Utilisation in Bioremediation. Microbes and Environments, 28(1): 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.me12074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, R., Nongkhlaw, M., Acharya, C., et al., 2013b. Growth Media Composition and Heavy Metal Tolerance Behaviour of Bacteria Characterized from the Sub-surface Soil of Uranium Rich Ore Bearing Site of Domiasiat in Meghalaya. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 12: 115–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. Q., Feng, Q., Yang, R. C., et al., 2006. Discussion on Genesis of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Dongsheng Area, Ordos Basin. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 80: 761–767 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Londry, K. L., Jahnke, L. L., Des Marais, D. J., 2004. Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios of Lipid Biomarkers of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(2): 745–751. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.70.2.745-751.2004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovley, D. R., Phillips, E. J. P., Gorby, Y. A., et al., 1991. Microbial Reduction of Uranium. Nature, 350(6317): 413–416. https://doi.org/10.1038/350413a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovley, D. R., Phillips, E., 1992. Reduction of Uranium by Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 58: 850–856

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnuson, K., Jackowski, S., Rock, C., et al., 1993. Regulation of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Escherichia Coli. Microbiological Reviews, 57: 522–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Milodowski, A. E., West, J. M., Pearce, J. M., et al., 1990. Uranium-Mineralized Micro-Organisms Associated with Uraniferous Hydrocarbons in Southwest Scotland. Nature, 347(6292): 465–467. https://doi.org/10.1038/347465a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Min, M. Z., Peng, X. J., Wang, J. P., et al., 2003a. Progress in Study onMicrobe-Metallogenesis of Uranium. Uranium Geology, 19: 257–263 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Min, M. Z., Wang, R. C., Bian, L. Z., et al., 2003b. Microbe-Metallogenesis of Interlayer Oxidized Zone Type Sandstone Uranium Deposit. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 13: 54–58 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Min, M. Z., Xu, H. F., Chen, J., et al., 2005. Evidence of Uranium Biomineralization in Sandstone-Hosted Roll-Front Uranium Deposits, Northwestern China. Ore Geology Reviews, 26(3/4): 198–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2004.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panak, P., Raff, J., Selenska-Pobell, S., et al., 2000. Complex Formation of U(VI) with Bacillus-Isolates from a Uranium Mining Waste Pile. Radiochimica Acta, 88(2): 71. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2000.88.2.071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, K. E., Moldowan, J. M. 1993. The Biomarker Guide: Interpreting Molecular Fossils in Petroleum and Ancient Sediments. Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsing, N. B., Kühl, M., Jørgensen, B. B., 1993. Distribution of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria, O2, and H2S in Photosynthetic Biofilms Determined by Oligonucleotide Probes and Microelectrodes. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 59: 3840–3849

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, H., 1997. The Isotopic Composition of Sedimentary Sulfur through Time. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 132(1/2/3/4): 97–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-0182(97)00067-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuo, J. C., Ma, W. Y., Zhang, M. F., et al., 2007. Organic Geochemistry of the Dongsheng Sedimentary Uranium Ore Deposits, China. Applied Geochemistry, 22(9): 1949–1969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2007.03.060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuo, J. C., Zhang, M. F., Wang, X. B., 2006. The Content and Significance of Fatty Acid Methylesters in Dongsheng Sedimentary Uranium Ore Deposits Ordos Basin China. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 24: 432–439 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakeham, S. G., 1995. Lipid Biomarkers for Heterotrophic Alteration of Suspended Particulate Organic Matter in Oxygenated and Anoxic Water Columns of the Ocean. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 42(10): 1749–1771. https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(95)00074-g

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wakeham, S. G., Amann, R., Freeman, K. H., et al., 2007. Microbial Ecology of the Stratified Water Column of the Black Sea as Revealed by a Comprehensive Biomarker Study. Organic Geochemistry, 38(12): 2070–2097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2007.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Luo, J. L., Li, M., et al., 2013. Provenance and Tectonic Setting of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit in Dongsheng Area, Ordos Basin: Evidence from U-Pb Age and Hf Isotopes of Detrital Zircons. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 29: 2746–2758 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, C., Shaman, A. K., Gadd, G. M., 1998. An Integrated Microbial Process for the Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Toxic Metals. Nature Biotechnology, 16(6): 572–575. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0698-572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, B. L., Qiu, X. W., 2007. Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of Escaped Hydrocarbon Epigenetic Alteration in the Dongsheng Mineral Deposit and Its Significance. Geology in China, 34: 455–462 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, J. S., Xiang, W. D., Ou, G. X., et al., 2005. Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization with Respect to Organic Matter, Microbe, and Oil and Gas. Uranium Geology, 21: 287–295 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, A. H., Pan, J. Y., 2013. Geochemical Feature of Stable Isotopes in Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit 511 in Xinjiang, China. Uranium Geology, 29: 72–77 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, C. L., Huang, Z., Cantu, J., et al., 2005. Lipid Biomarkers and Carbon Isotope Signatures of a Microbial (Beggiatoa) Mat Associated with Gas Hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 71(4): 2106–2112. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.71.4.2106-2112.2005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, W. Z., Li, J. F., 2001. Oil and Gas Source Research of Ordos Basin. Petroleum Geology & Experiment, 6: 28–36 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y. D., Su, Y. L., Liu, Z. W., et al., 2014. Long-Chain Branched/Cyclic Alkanes in Recent Sediment of Lake Fuxian and Their Environmental Implications. Chinese Science Bulletin, 59(11): 1139–1150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0159-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, R. Q., Qin, M. K., Wang, Z. B., 1998. Effect of Microorganism and Organic Matters on Sandstone Type Uranium Mineralizations in Interlayer Oxidation Zone in Deposit No. 512. Uranium Geology, 14: 338–343, 379 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, X. Y., Peng, X. J., Wang, Y. L., et al., 2004. Isotope Geochemistry of Shihongtan Interlayer Oxidized Zone Type Sandstone Uranium Deposit. Mineral Deposits, 23: 443–451 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-YW-JC102), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB808800) and the China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists (No. 41125009). The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-017-0768-y.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources Research, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Tiankai Wang, Lei Jiang, Chunfang Cai, Yuyang Yuan & Lianqi Jia

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Tiankai Wang, Yuyang Yuan & Lianqi Jia

  3. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Yongdong Zhang

  4. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shuangling Chen

Authors
  1. Tiankai Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lei Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chunfang Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yuyang Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yongdong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lianqi Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shuangling Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chunfang Cai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, T., Jiang, L., Cai, C. et al. Lipid Evidence for Oil Depletion by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria during U Mineralization in the Dongsheng Deposit. J. Earth Sci. 29, 556–563 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-017-0768-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-017-0768-y

Key words

Search

Navigation