Iron Oxidation: Processes and Mechanisms

This lecture covers the process of iron oxidation, where Fe(II) is converted to Fe(III), leading to the immobilization of iron under neutral pH conditions. Both abiotic and microbial Fe(II) oxidation are discussed, including aerobic and anaerobic oxidation with various pH values and light as an energy source. The mechanisms of iron oxidation by different microorganisms, such as acidophiles and neutrophiles, are explored, along with the control of encrustation and the diversity of acidophilic iron oxidizers. Additionally, the lecture delves into the ecological significance of microbial Fe(II) oxidation in controlling iron bioavailability and its role in banded-iron formations on early Earth.