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 strongly linked to their carbon metabolism and substrate utilization.

• Why it matters: Understanding how bacterial mineral weathering (MWe) depends on carbon sources is crucial for insights into soil fertility and plant growth, yet this relationship remains poorly characterized.
• What they did: A collection of Pseudomonas strains was screened for their ability to weather minerals Ca3(PO4)2 and biotite, assessing 10 carbon sources, combined with genomic, geochemical, and in vitro bioassays.
• The result: MWe effectiveness varies with carbon source and strain, with acidification and organic acid production being genetically linked, revealing a complex, substrate-dependent process that influences soil mineral dynamics.