This collection brings together the most recent research about the formation, environmental significance and potential biotechnological applications of biogenic sulfides or biosulfides (i.e. those directly or indirectly produced by microbial activity in diverse environments). We welcome fundamental and applied studies focused on secondary biogenic sulfides formed by sulfate-respiring metabolisms in diverse natural and man-made environments. Topics covered include mineralogy, chemistry, crystallinity, reactivity, and chemical stability of these biosulfides, and how these properties are affected by, and may influence metal/microbe/mineral interactions and the fate and immobilization of metals in the environment. Other topics of considered are the uptake and use of dissolution products of these biosulfides by microbial metabolisms, the evolution of Fe–S interfaces (e.g. mackinawite–greigite–pyrrhotite–pyrite transitions), aging, and biotic-abiotic precipitation pathways of different metal biosulfides (e.g. CuS, ZnS, CdS, PbS, As2S3) and the role of microorganisms in all these processes.
We welcome studies on marine and freshwater sediments (e.g. lakes, rivers), geothermal fluids, the deep subsurface, extreme environments (e.g., acid mine/rock drainage) or in the built environment such as bioremediation settings of metalliferous wastewaters (e.g., bioreactors, constructed wetlands). The research can cover from fundamental studies on biosulfides to their potential applications, such as bioremediation (e.g. metal removal in polluted environments) and biomining (e.g. metal recovery from industrial waste waters). We will also consider contributions dealing with the preservation of organic matter and possible biosignatures recorded by biosulfides which could be of interest in astrobiology, planetary exploration and the search for life beyond Earth. The main goal of this collection is to reconcile the most up-to-date knowledge on biosulfides that is currently scattered among different scientific disciplines, such as marine sciences, geomicrobiology, environmental mineralogy and geochemistry, and biotechnology, always from a highly multi- and transdisciplinary perspective.
Accepted articles will be published on this collection page continuously as and when they complete production.