12.1: Examples of biomineralization

Microorganisms can form a wide variety of minerals. To illustrate the significance of biominerals and mechanisms of their formation, this section provides a brief summary of microbial contributions to five mineral groups: carbonates, amorphous silica, iron (oxyhydr)oxides, sulfides, and clays. These phases have widespread occurrence and play important roles in geochemical systems, as discussed below. As you read, recognize that this section is not intended as a comprehensive review of these mineral groups and all of the ways the minerals within them form. Instead, we focus on areas where microbiology plays a significant role.

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