Scholarlink

<p>Chalcopyrite (CuFeS<sub>2</sub>) is the main source of copper worldwide and is usually formed at high temperature. Its occurrence at low temperature is poorly documented, and the mechanisms controlling its formation remain uncertain. We found evidences of chalcopyrite formation in acidic pit lake sediments at ~ 12 °C. Using high-resolution electron microscopy and synchrotron-based spectroscopy, we observed aggregates of nanoscale crystals with the composition and structure of disordered chalcopyrite. Laboratory incubations at 20 °C and geochemical modelling suggest that microbial activity may contribute to chalcopyrite formation under these conditions. Particularly, crystal growth was associated with hollow structures resembling microbial cell surfaces, and on the membranes of eukaryotic-like cells, providing nucleation sites. Our findings suggest that microbial processes, including the production of hydrogen sulfide and the presence of organic surfaces, promote chalcopyrite formation at low temperature. This has implications for understanding copper and sulfur cycling and its potential biotechnological application in sulfidic environments.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Novel pathway of chalcopyrite formation at low temperature in microenvironments of acidic, metal-rich sediments

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月20日

查看全文
  • Andrey M. Ilin,
  • Iñaki Yusta,
  • Maxim Ilyn,
  • Ana Martinez-Amesti,
  • Charlotte van der Graaf,
  • Irene Sánchez-Andrea,
  • Andreas Scheinost,
  • Damien Prieur,
  • Andrea Sorrentino,
  • Robert Oliete,
  • Zhiquan Li,
  • Weiduo Hao,
  • Yuhao Li,
  • Daniel Alessi,
  • Kurt O. Konhauser,
  • Javier Sánchez-España

摘要

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the main source of copper worldwide and is usually formed at high temperature. Its occurrence at low temperature is poorly documented, and the mechanisms controlling its formation remain uncertain. We found evidences of chalcopyrite formation in acidic pit lake sediments at ~ 12 °C. Using high-resolution electron microscopy and synchrotron-based spectroscopy, we observed aggregates of nanoscale crystals with the composition and structure of disordered chalcopyrite. Laboratory incubations at 20 °C and geochemical modelling suggest that microbial activity may contribute to chalcopyrite formation under these conditions. Particularly, crystal growth was associated with hollow structures resembling microbial cell surfaces, and on the membranes of eukaryotic-like cells, providing nucleation sites. Our findings suggest that microbial processes, including the production of hydrogen sulfide and the presence of organic surfaces, promote chalcopyrite formation at low temperature. This has implications for understanding copper and sulfur cycling and its potential biotechnological application in sulfidic environments.