The evolving redox chemistry and bioavailability of vanadium in deep time

Abstract

The incorporation of metal cofactors into protein active sites and/or active regions expanded the network of microbial metabolism during the Archean eon. The bioavailability of crucial metal cofactors is largely influenced by earth surface redox state, which impacted the timing of metabolic evolution. Vanadium (V) is a unique element in geo–bio‐coevolution due to its complex redox chemistry and specific biological functions. Thus, the extent of microbial V utilization potentially represents an important link between the geo‐ and biospheres in deep time. In this study, we used geochemical modeling and network analysis to investigate the availability and chemical speciation of V in the environment, and the emergence and changing chemistry of V‐containing minerals throughout earth history. The redox state of V shifted from a more reduced V(III) state in Archean aqueous geochemistry and mineralogy to more oxidized V(IV) and V(V) states in the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic. The weathering of vanadium sulfides, vanadium alkali metal minerals, and vanadium alkaline earth metal minerals were potential sources of V to the environment and microbial utilization. Community detection analysis of the expanding V mineral network indicates tectonic and redox influence on the distribution of V mineral‐forming elements. In reducing environments, energetic drivers existed for V to potentially be involved in early nitrogen fixation, while in oxidizing environments vanadate (VO43-false]false]>) could have acted as a metabolic electron acceptor and phosphate mimicking enzyme inhibitor. The coevolving chemical speciation and biological functions of V due to earth's changing surface redox conditions demonstrate the crucial links between the geosphere and biosphere in the evolution of metabolic electron transfer pathways and biogeochemical cycles from the Archean to Phanerozoic.

Radiation of nitrogen‐metabolizing enzymes across the tree of life tracks environmental transitions in Earth history

“…Vanadium nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii has been shown to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) to the hydrocarbons ethylene (C 2 H 2 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), and propane (C 3 H 8 ) (Lee et al., 2010), which supports the origin of V‐nitrogenase in the Archean eon when CO was more abundant in the atmosphere (Anbar & Knoll, 2002). Additionally, V was bioavailable in Archean ocean waters under slightly acidic conditions (Moore et al., 2020). The genomes of more V‐nitrogenase and Fe‐nitrogenase organisms must be sequenced to better understand the evolutionary history of these alternative nitrogenases.…”

Radiation of nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes across the tree of life tracks environmental transitions in Earth history

“…Vanadium nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii has been shown to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) to the hydrcarbons ethylene (C 2 H 2 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), and propane (C 3 H 8 ) (Lee et al, 2010), which supports the origin of V-nitrogenase in the Archean eon when CO was more abundant in the atmosphere (Anbar & Knoll, 2002). Additionally, V was bioavailable in Archean ocean waters under slightly acidic conditions (Moore et al, 2020). The genomes of more V-nitrogenase and Fe-nitrogenase organisms must be sequenced to better understand the evolutionary history of these alternative nitrogenases.…”

On the Capability of Oxidovanadium(IV) Derivatives to Act as All-Around Catalytic Promoters Since the Prebiotic World

“…Meanwhile, the redox state of vanadium changed from the lower V(III) oxidation state in Archean aqueous geochemistry and mineralogy to higher V(IV) and V(V) states in the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic eras [9].…”