| Abstract: | The effect of heterotrophic microorganisms upon the degradation of silicate minerals The purpose of the present work was to study the weathering activity of yeasts and filamentous fungi on various silicate minerals. Culture experiments were carried out on samples of amphibolite, biotite, and orthoclase. Finely ground powder was incubated with pure cultures of 5 yeast strains and 11 filamentous fungi in a glucose-mineral salts-solution at room temperature over a period of 12 weeks. Changes in pH as well as in concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, and Si in the culture solutions were determined at various intervals.-All fungal strains tested lowered the pH of the culture liquid with or without minerals added from 5.7 to values as low as 1.6. This acidification was brought about by the microbial production of organic acids, especially of gluconic acid. The lowest pH values were found in flasks containing biotite. Acidification in flasks with orthoclase was less pronounced. The pH values found in flasks containing amphibolite were similar to those produced in cultures without mineral powder. From biotite, up to 62% K, 33% Mg, 29% Fe, 59% Al, and 6% Si were released. The solubilizing activity on orthoclase was less effective, and least that on amphibolite.-The importance of acidity and the chelating capacity of the microbially produced organic acids as well as the chemical and structural properties of the mineral with respect to weathering are discussed. The results show that heterotrophic microorganisms like yeasts and filamentous fungi may effectively attack silicate minerals and rocks. |
