About this Research Topic

Background

Bioweathering is the dissolution of rocks and mineral substrates carried out by microorganisms along with mechanical and chemical processes. The application of bacteria in biomining is a biotechnological approach for the extraction and recovery of metals from ores. Microbes interact with minerals as a strategy to colonize and exploit habitats where the environmental parameters disadvantage other microorganisms and they demonstrate the capacity to scavenge critical elements with low bioavailability, such as iron and phosphorus. There is an ongoing need to improve soil fertility and crop production, particularly in dry places, to remediate toxic soils, and clean stone artworks and structures. A more complete understanding of the ecology of mineral weathering processes mediated by the microbiome may provide a significant opportunity for researchers to develop novel solutions to developing challenges in agriculture, the environment, and industry.

Soil microbes play an essential role in the environment by contributing to the release of key nutrients from primary minerals that are required not only for their nutrition but also for plant growth and development. They are also involved in element biotransformation and biogeochemical cycling, decomposition, bioweathering, and soil and sediment formation. Although the role of fungi in mineral weathering is beginning to be elucidated, the relative impact of bacteria in this process and the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The capability of microorganisms to convert insoluble forms of mineral nutrients into absorbable forms makes them a very effective strategy in mineral deficient soils. The phenomenon of making minerals available in soils through microorganisms is referred to as mineral solubilization. The principal mechanism for mineral solubilization could be the production of mineral dissolving compounds such as organic and inorganic acids, siderophores, protons from ammonia assimilation, hydrogen sulfide, phytase, phosphatases, and phosphonatases. These mineral solubilizing bioagents solubilize the fixed form of minerals into the available form and play an important role in enhancing crop productivity. The current research topic will provide brief knowledge of several mineral solubilizing microorganisms, with special emphasis on their role in enhancing plant productivity. Apart from mineral solubilization, this research topic will also cover the topics of bioweathering and bioremediation.

Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Potassium Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Zinc Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Iron Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Selenium Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Manganese Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Silicate Solubilizing Microorganisms
• Minerals Weathering Microorganisms
• Mineral’s bioremediation and detoxification
• Bioleaching: metal solubilization by microorganisms
• Mineral-microbe interactions
• Biomining of minerals
• Extraction and recovery of metals

Keywords: Zinc, plant-microbe interactions, mineral-microbe interactions, microorganisms, nutrient availability, bioweathering, bioleaching, bioremediation, phosphate, potassium, silicate, manganese, iron, selenium, organic acid, siderophores, minerals solubilization

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