Comparative study of the effects of different carbon substrates on acidification-driven mineral weathering by Pseudomonas.

Pseudomonas strains, especially Pseudomonas spelaei PML3(3), exhibit mineral weathering abilities that depend on the carbon source and metabolic pathways, with acidification playing a key role.

• Why it matters: Understanding how bacterial mineral weathering is influenced by carbon metabolism is crucial for insights into soil fertility and plant growth, yet this relationship remains poorly characterized.
• What they did: The study screened 10 carbon sources on a collection of Pseudomonas strains, including P. spelaei PML3(3), using bioassays, geochemical, and genomic analyses to assess mineral weathering activity.
• The result: Mineral weathering effectiveness varies with carbon source and bacterial strain, linked to specific metabolic pathways and genetic organizations, revealing a complex, dynamic process influenced by multiple factors.