Novel pathway of chalcopyrite formation at low temperature in microenvironments of acidic, metal-rich sediments
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. Chalcopyrite, the main copper ore mineral, is usually formed at high temperatures, according to a study that shows that microbial processes might promote its low-temperature formation in acidic pit lake sediments, with implications for bioremediation and biomining.
Authors
- Maxim Ilyn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4052-7275)
- Iñaki Yusta Arnal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6376-7717)
- Damien Prieur (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5087-0133)
- Andrea Sorrentino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3235-8950)
- Javier Sánchez‐España (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6295-1459)
- Yuhao Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4832-199X)
- Kurt O. Konhauser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7722-7068)
- Daniel S. Alessi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8360-8251)
- Andreas C. Scheinost (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6608-5428)
- Robert Oliete
- Charlotte van der Graaf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9670-2792)
- Irene Sánchez‐Andrea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6977-3026)
- Weiduo Hao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0486-424X)
- Andrey Ilin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7452-9159)
- Ana Martínez-Amesti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9943-7370)
- Zhiquan Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4441-4945)
Institutions
- IE University (ES)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- University of the Basque Country (ES)
- ALBA Synchrotron (Spain) (ES)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (DE)
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (FR)
- Northwest University (CN)
- Continental (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Centro de Astrobiología (ES)
- Donostia International Physics Center (ES)
- Lakehead University (CA)
- Delft University of Technology (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Earth & Environment
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02872-3
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.67
Funders
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
- Eusko Jaurlaritza
- Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
- Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital, Gobierno de España