In the literature about extremophiles, it is common to find the range of temperature, hydrostatic pressure, pH, salinity and water activity over which living organisms are able to thrive (i.e., survive and reproduce).
In contrast, it is very rare to find this information regarding the environmental redox potential (Eh). Recently, I found a paper that reported the range between -450 mV (for methanogens) and +850 mV (for iron oxidizers) (Beech et al., 2000).
Does anyone know another reference reporting the Eh range for life?
And does anyone know for which organisms there is experimental evidence of thriving at the highest and lowest Eh of such range?
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Beech et al. (2000) Simple methods for the investigation of the role of biofilms in corrosion. https://efcweb.org/efcweb2019_media/Documents/WP_TF/WP10/MICbook.pdf
This question has been answered nicely by:
Baas Becking, L. G. M., Kaplan, I. R., & Moore, D. (1960). Limits of the Natural Environment in Terms of pH and Oxidation-Reduction Potentials. J. Geol., 68(3), 243-284. https://doi.org/10.1086/626659
and, of course, by
Stumm, W., & Morgan, J. J. (1996). Aquatic chemistry – Chemical Equilibria and Rates in Natural Waters (3rd ed.). Wiley & Sons.
The general range reported for different types of microorganisms is as follows:
aerobes +300 to +500 mV; facultative anaerobes -100 to +300 mV; and anaerobes +100 to less than -250 mV
you can refer to the below papers for more information.
I found an article on the effect of redox potential on soil microbes with some statistical findings that might be helpful for u.
I think these could help you;
They're available on the ResearchGate Server for download.
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