CaltechAUTHORS
  A Caltech Library Service

Magnetic domain state and coercivity predictions for biogenic greigite (Fe_3S_4): A comparison of theory with magnetosome observations

Diaz Ricci, Juan C. and Kirschvink, Joseph L. (1992) Magnetic domain state and coercivity predictions for biogenic greigite (Fe_3S_4): A comparison of theory with magnetosome observations. Journal of Geophysical Research B, 97 (B12). pp. 17309-17315. ISSN 0148-0227. doi:10.1029/92JB01290. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130508-094434532

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
See Usage Policy.

554kB

Use this Persistent URL to link to this item: https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130508-094434532

Abstract

The discovery of bacteria that precipitate greigite within intracellular organelles (magnetosomes) offers new evidence about the origin of greigite in natural environments. Unlike magnetite, only scarce information is available about the magnetic characteristics of greigite. For this reason, and the present inability to grow these microorganisms in pure culture, it is not known whether or not the magnetosomes in the newly discovered greigite-precipitating bacteria are of single-domain (SD) size, as are the magnetosomes from magnetite-precipitating bacteria. The hypothesis of natural selection for magnetotactic behavior predicts that the greigite-bearing magnetosomes should also be single magnetic domains. Using previously reported magnetic properties and crystallographic features for greigite, we have calculated the size and shape boundaries expected for SD and superparamagnetic (SPM) behavior in this mineral. For further characterization of the greigite crystals, we analyzed the domain state at various length/width ratios assuming crystal shapes of parallelepipeds and prolate spheroids. Magnetite was used as control for the current theories supporting these calculations. We also present a simple algorithm to calculate the upper size limit of single-domain grains. Our results show that the crystals of bacterial greigite characterized so far are located in the region close to the single-domain superparamagnetic boundary and should have relatively low coercivity. If these crystals contribute to the magnetization of sediments, remanence produced by bacterial greigite could be mistaken for large, multidomain magnetite in alternating field demagnetization studies.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/92JB01290DOIUNSPECIFIED
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/92JB01290/abstractPublisherUNSPECIFIED
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Kirschvink, Joseph L.0000-0001-9486-6689
Additional Information:© 1992 by the American Geophysical Union. Received August 15, 1991; revised March 20, 1992; accepted April 10, 1992. This work was supported partially by NIH grant GM41635 and is contribution 5043 from the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences of the California Institute of Technology.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NIHGM41635
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences5043
Issue or Number:B12
DOI:10.1029/92JB01290
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20130508-094434532
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130508-094434532
Official Citation:Ricci, J. C. D., and J. L. Kirschvink (1992), Magnetic domain state and coercivity predictions for biogenic greigite (Fe3S4): A comparison of theory with magnetosome observations, J. Geophys. Res., 97(B12), 17309–17315, doi:10.1029/92JB01290.
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:38347
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:08 May 2013 17:08
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:36

Repository Staff Only: item control page