Mineral–soil
organic matter (SOM including DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides)
associations formed through various interactions, play a key role
in regulating long-term SOM preservation. The mechanisms underlying
DNA–mineral and DNA–protein/polysaccharide interactions
at nanometer and molecular scales in environmentally relevant solutions
remain uncertain. Here, we present a model mineral–SOM system
consisting of mineral (mica)–nucleic acid (environmental DNA,
eDNA)/protein (bovine serum albumin)/polysaccharide (alginate), and
combine atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based dynamic force spectroscopy
and PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping using DNA-decorated
tips. Single-molecule binding and adhesion force of eDNA to mineral
and to mineral adsorbed by protein/polysaccharide reveal the noncovalent
bonds and that systematically changing ion compositions, ionic strength,
and pH result in significant differences in organic–organic
and organic–mineral binding energies. Consistent with the bond-strength
measurements, protein, rather than polysaccharide, promotes mineral-bound
DNA molecules by ex situ AFM deposition observations in relatively
high concentrations of divalent cation-containing acidic solutions.
These molecular-scale determinations and nanoscale observations should
substantially improve our understanding of how environmental factors
influence the organic–mineral interfacial interactions through
the synergy of collective noncovalent and/or covalent bonds in mineral–organic
associations.