Minerals and microbes: Co-exist and interact

Minerals and microbes mutually interact across all spatial and temporal scales. Throughout Earth’s history, both minerals and microbes increase their species diversity and functional complexity. The evolving mineral-microbe interactions over geological time play critical roles in driving geological events such as occurrence of the Great Oxidation Event and the formation of large ore deposits. Mineral-microbe interactions also have many biotechnological applications. Credit: ©China University of Geosciences，Beijing