10.1021/es2022329.s001 Julian Bosch Julian Bosch Keun-Young Lee Keun-Young Lee Guntram Jordan Guntram Jordan Kyoung-Woong Kim Kyoung-Woong Kim Rainer U. Meckenstock Rainer U. Meckenstock Anaerobic, Nitrate-Dependent Oxidation of Pyrite Nanoparticles by <i>Thiobacillus denitrificans</i> American Chemical Society 2012 mass balance ferric iron pyrite oxidation Thiobacillus denitrificansPyrite nitrate reduction anaerobically oxidize sulfur Pyrite Nanoparticles Thiobacillus denitrificans biogeochemical cycles Nanosized pyrite putatively nanosized pyrite particle fraction electron acceptor Recent reports 2012-02-21 00:00:00 Journal contribution https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Anaerobic_Nitrate_Dependent_Oxidation_of_Pyrite_Nanoparticles_by_i_Thiobacillus_denitrificans_i_/2548036 Pyrite is a key mineral in the global biogeochemical cycles of sulfur and iron, yet its anaerobic microbial oxidation has eluded geochemists and microbiologists for decades. Recent reports indicated that anaerobic oxidation of pyrite is occurring, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence for the capability of <i>Thiobacillus denitrificans</i> to anaerobically oxidize a putatively nanosized pyrite particle fraction with nitrate as electron acceptor. Nanosized pyrite was readily oxidized to ferric iron and sulfate with a rate of 10.1 μM h<sup>–1</sup>. The mass balance of pyrite oxidation and nitrate reduction revealed a closed recovery of the electrons. This substantiates a further “missing lithotrophy” in the global cycles of sulfur and iron and emphasizes the high reactivity of nanominerals in the environment.