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Electric currents couple spatially separated biogeochemical processes in marine sediment

Author

Listed:
  • Lars Peter Nielsen

    (Department of Biological Sciences,)

  • Nils Risgaard-Petersen

    (Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Henrik Fossing

    (National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark)

  • Peter Bondo Christensen

    (National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark)

  • Mikio Sayama

    (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8569, Japan)

Abstract

Down through the wire Some microbes are capable of extracellular electron transport through so-called bacterial nanowires or electron shuttles. It is now shown that this may be a significant process in the marine sediment, allowing oxygen to oxidize compounds located centimetres away. The remains of dead algae and faeces buried in marine sediment are a good food resource for microbes, but at sediment depths greater than a few millimetres the lack of oxygen limits utilization of this resource. A study of sediment samples from the seabed off Aarhus in Denmark reveals that microbes can overcome this obstacle by making intercellular electric connections and establishing a division of labour. Cells at the surface utilize sufficient oxygen for all cells in the community, and those at depth acquire nutrients for all.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Peter Nielsen & Nils Risgaard-Petersen & Henrik Fossing & Peter Bondo Christensen & Mikio Sayama, 2010. "Electric currents couple spatially separated biogeochemical processes in marine sediment," Nature, Nature, vol. 463(7284), pages 1071-1074, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:463:y:2010:i:7284:d:10.1038_nature08790
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08790
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    Cited by:

    1. María José De La Fuente & Carlos Gallardo-Bustos & Rodrigo De la Iglesia & Ignacio T. Vargas, 2022. "Microbial Electrochemical Technologies for Sustainable Nitrogen Removal in Marine and Coastal Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Cleuren, Bart & Proesmans, Karel, 2020. "Stochastic impedance," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 552(C).
    3. Kataki, S. & Chatterjee, S. & Vairale, M.G. & Sharma, S. & Dwivedi, S.K. & Gupta, D.K., 2021. "Constructed wetland, an eco-technology for wastewater treatment: A review on various aspects of microbial fuel cell integration, low temperature strategies and life cycle impact of the technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    4. Shuncun Zhang & Bo Chen & Junru Du & Tao Wang & Haixin Shi & Feng Wang, 2022. "Distribution, Assessment, and Source of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the Qinjiang River, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Md Tabish Noori & Dayakar Thatikayala & Booki Min, 2022. "Bioelectrochemical Remediation for the Removal of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminants in Soil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    6. Jesper J. Bjerg & Jamie J. M. Lustermans & Ian P. G. Marshall & Anna J. Mueller & Signe Brokjær & Casper A. Thorup & Paula Tataru & Markus Schmid & Michael Wagner & Lars Peter Nielsen & Andreas Schram, 2023. "Cable bacteria with electric connection to oxygen attract flocks of diverse bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    7. Irfan, Muhammad & Zhou, Lei & Ji, Jia-Heng & Chen, Jing & Yuan, Shan & Liang, Tian-Tian & Liu, Jin-Feng & Yang, Shi-Zhong & Gu, Ji-Dong & Mu, Bo-Zhong, 2020. "Enhanced energy generation and altered biochemical pathways in an enrichment microbial consortium amended with natural iron minerals," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 585-594.

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