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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology pp 1–5Cite as

Iron Oxidation

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Acronyms

FeOB; Iron-oxidizing bacteria

Definition

Iron oxidation is a chemolithotrophic microbial metabolism whereby metabolic energy is generated via the removal of electrons (oxidation) from inorganic ferrous iron [Fe(II)]-containing compounds, resulting in the formation of ferric iron [Fe(III)]-containing compounds.

Overview

Prokaryotic organisms are capable of generating metabolic energy from the oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), often coupled to autotrophic growth (chemolithoautotrophy) (Konhauser et al. 2011). A wide range of environments are present on Earth where microorganisms are known to participate in Fe(II) oxidation (Fig. 1). Due to the rapid rate of abiotic oxidation of soluble Fe(II) by oxygen at neutral pH (Singer and Stumm 1970), several strategies exist for iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) to compete with abiotic oxidation including oxidation of soluble Fe(II) at neutral pH under low-oxygen conditions, oxidation of insoluble Fe(II) mineral phases at neutral pH,...

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References and Further Reading

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Stephanie A. Napieralski, Nathaniel W. Fortney & Eric E. Roden

Authors
  1. Stephanie A. Napieralski
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  2. Nathaniel W. Fortney
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  3. Eric E. Roden
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eric E. Roden .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  2. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

    William M. Irvine

  3. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  6. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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Napieralski, S.A., Fortney, N.W., Roden, E.E. (2020). Iron Oxidation. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5401-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_5401-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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