Reduction of ferric green rust by Shewanella putrefaciens

Aims: To reduce carbonated ferric green rust (GR*) using an iron respiring bacterium and obtain its reduced homologue, the mixed Fe-II-Fe-III carbonated green rust transformed in GR (iron reducing rate = 8 center dot 7 mmol 1(-1) h(-1)). Conclusions: Ferric green rust is available for S. putrefaciens respiration as an electron acceptor. The reversibility of the GR redox state can be driven by bacterial activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work suggests that GRs would act as an electronic balance in presence of bacteria. It provides also new perspectives for using iron reducing bacterial activity to regenerate the reactive form of GR during soil or water decontamination processes.