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The chemical composition of the wood reflects the composition of the soil over which the corresponding tree has developed. Multi-elemental and isotopic signatures, which are characteristic of the soil and underlying rock substrates, are potentially powerful tools for determining wood provenance. These tracers are of special interest for charred archaeological wood because they circumvent some limitations of dendrochronological provenancing linked to tree-ring loss. However, thermal degradation may introduce a significant bias in wood chemical and isotopic analyses. This experimental study focused on the effects of carbonization temperature on three geochemical wood markers: elemental signatures and isotopic signatures of strontium and neodymium (86Sr/87Sr and 143Nd/144Nd, respectively). Wood specimens from a variety of oak trees and stand locations were pyrolyzed at four temperatures (ranging from 200°C to 800°C) and analyzed using ICP-MS and μ-XRF (X-ray fluorescence) spectroscopy for elemental composition and with multiple collection ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) for strontium (Sr) and neodymium (Nd) isotope composition. The concentration of mineral nutrients generally increased with temperature, but the magnitude of the enrichment depended on the element, wood compartment (sapwood vs. heartwood), and geological substrate. The concentrations of rubidium, strontium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and, to a lesser extent, calcium, were minimally affected by temperature, wood compartment, and substrate. The ratios between the concentrations of these elements, as well as the 86Sr/87Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios, were stable over the entire temperature range. However, only 86Sr/87Sr and selected elemental ratios (calcium or magnesium normalized to manganese) were successful for site discrimination. Therefore, our multi-tracer approach provides promising new information to determine the provenance of charred archaeological wood.

Studies on the provenance of wood for shipbuilding contribute widely to the fields of archaeology, anthropology, environmental history, cultural geography, and palaeoclimatology. The development of reference datasets to determine the date and provenance of shipwreck timbers is therefore a paramount undertaking. Here we compile and present recent advances in the development of tree-ring chronologies, stable strontium isotope ratios and chemical biomarkers aimed to determine the date and provenance of Iberian shipwreck timbers. A set of oak and pine tree-ring chronologies have been developed from living trees covering the past 500 and 800 years, respectively, and have served to confirm the provenance of the wood used in an 18th-century Spanish ship of the Royal Navy. Stable strontium isotopic signatures have been obtained from soil and living trees at 26 sites throughout the Iberian Peninsula, providing a climate-independent geochemical network to source the origin of historic timbers. However, retrieving the original isotopic signature from waterlogged samples remains unsuccessful, stressing the need to develop effective protocols to separate the seawater signal from the original strontium isotope ratios in the wood. Analyses of organic compounds in wood of living trees have proven suitable to discriminate species and provenances, but results on shipwreck timbers are inconclusive and should be further explored. Our regional approach has the potential to be expanded to other areas and archaeological timbers from different periods throughout the Anthropocene. We highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the techniques presented when applied to waterlogged wood, propose GIS tools to interpret and visualize combined results, and stress the need to expand these type of reference datasets to allow for multiproxy dendroprovenancing approaches This research, and particularly authors MDD, SR, MT, FH, LA, and PG, was funded by the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP72007-2013) under REA grant agreement no. PITN-GA 2013-607545. MDD has also received funding from the Dutch Research Council [Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, grant number 016.Veni.195.502] SI

Phlogopite weathering experiments were carried out under aerobic conditions in a closed system to study Mg isotopic fractionation during the dissolution and processes involved in the presence of bacterial strains. Four different bacterial strains with different metabolisms were chosen. Biotic experiments were performed in batch reactors at 24 °C for 12 days. In parallel, abiotic phlogopite weathering experiments were also performed using organic and nitric acids. Citric and gluconic acids were used to model the effects of chelating agents produced by bacteria, and nitric acid was used to model the effects of acidifying agents. The results indicate that both decreases in pH and the production of metabolites during heterotrophic bacterial activities significantly accelerate the release of Mg and Si in solution. Also, at a given pH, the fraction of elements released in solution is greater in the presence of bacteria or citric acid compared to that released in the presence of nitric and gluconic acids. Magnesium isotopic analyses indicate that the solutions obtained using nitric acid and acidifying bacterial strains display, on average, δ26Mg values that are close to or slightly heavier (by 0.4‰) than those of fresh phlogopite (−1.2‰ ± 0.08). In contrast, in experiments performed with citric acid, the Mg leached into solution is slightly enriched in light isotopes by −0.3‰ relative to the initial phlogopite, while its binding to organics is expected to be related to its preferential enrichment in heavy isotopes. Despite its small range of variations, the δ26Mg values of solutions vary inversely with pH, thus suggesting that secondary phases preferentially enriched in 26Mg at the highest pH values may play a key role.

International audience; AbstractKey messageAggregation was studied in two acidic forest soils (NE France) to investigate the potential link between available Ca and Mg content and soil aggregate size distribution and properties. Clay content influenced the aggregation status while clay mineralogy influenced aggregate stability and dynamics. Aggregation status and reactivity of soil components contributed to the difference of exchangeable Ca and Mg content in topsoil between the two sites.ContextThough nutrient fluxes are important to define forest soil chemical fertility, the quantification of nutrient reservoirs in the soils and their availability to tree uptake is essential. A thorough understanding of nutrient availability requires an investigation of nutrient location and distribution in the soil solid phase.AimsThe general aim was to investigate the potential link between available Ca and Mg content and soil aggregate size distribution and their properties (chemical, physical, mineralogical).MethodsSoil aggregates were separated according to three size classes (200–2000 μm; 50–200 μm

The mean depth of Sr and water uptake in mixed Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands was investigated, using natural variations of 87Sr/86Sr and 18O/16O in soils in relation to depth. Three spruce-pine pairs were studied on a podzol and a peat site in Northern Sweden. Tree leaf and wood, as well as soils, soil solutions and roots below each tree were analysed for Sr and Ca concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratio. The 18O/16O ratio was also determined in xylem sap and soil solutions in relation to depth. Soil solution 18O/16O decreased in relation to depth. Comparing with xylem sap 18O/16O data indicated a deeper uptake of soil water by pine than spruce on the podzol site and a superficial uptake by both species on the peat. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of bioavailable Sr generally increased in soils in relation to depth. Contrastingly, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in spruce wood was generally higher than in pine wood suggesting a deeper uptake of Sr by spruce. But the 87Sr/86Sr ratio and concentrations of bioavailable Sr were systematically higher below spruce than below pine. In order to explain these unexpected results, we built a simple flux model to investigate the possible effects of interspecific variations in Sr cycling, soil mineral weathering and depth of Sr uptake on soil and tree 87Sr/86Sr ratio. At the study sites, spruce cycled in litterfall up to 12 times more strontium than pine. The use of the model showed that this difference in Sr cycling could alone explain higher isotopic signatures of trees and topsoils below spruce. Besides, high isotopic signatures of roots in the A/E horizons below spruce led us to hypothesise a species-specific weathering process. Finally, the comparison between the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in wood and root or soil solutions below each species suggested that the average depth of Sr and water uptake were close, but irregular variations of the Sr isotopic ratio with depth reduce the accuracy of the results. Tree species strongly influence Sr isotopic ratios in boreal forest soils through differences in Sr cycling, and possibly through specific mineral weathering.

The contribution of deep tree roots to the nutrition of a tropicalrainforest were studied along an edaphic transect in French Guyana. Soil typeswere mapped in relation to the texture of the upper horizons and the depth ofoccurrence of the loamy saprolite. The position of mature individuals of fourcommon species, differing by they rooting depth, was identified and tree leaveswere analysed for major nutrients and strontium (Sr) isotopic ratios.On average, the range of leaf isotopic ratio (87Sr/86Sr= 0.714–0.716) was narrow compared to that of bulk soils(87Sr/86Sr = 0.72–0.77). Steep gradients ofincreasing 87Sr/86Sr in roots with soil depth were foundin all investigated profiles, which indicated that the flux of Sr deposited inrain and leached from the litter layer was tightly retained in the upper soillayers. Over the whole of the site, as well as within each soil unit, tree87Sr/86Sr ratios were very similar whatever the species,and close to litter and near-surface roots 87Sr/86Srratios, suggesting no or very little Sr contribution from deep tree roots.Variations of Ca and Sr concentrations in leaves were strongly correlated butnot with leaf 87Sr/86Sr ratios. These results support thetheory that Sr and Ca uptake and cycling are mostly superficial in tropicalrainforests.

In favourable conditions, the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of the Sr delivered by rain and soil mineral weathering differ. Assuming that Ca and Sr behave similarly in forest ecosystems, several authors have used the 87Sr/86Sr variation in forest compartments to calculate the contribution of rain and mineral weathering to Ca fluxes and pools. However, there are a number of experimental reports showing that Ca and Sr may behave differently in the soil and in the plant. We have tested this Ca–Sr analogy in the field by measuring the variation of Sr and Ca concentrations, fluxes and pools in spruce, beech and maple stands on granite, sandstone and limestone. Results show that (1) variations of Ca and Sr concentrations are generally correlated at each level of the ecosystems. (2) In spruce on acid soils, a preferential uptake of Ca over Sr occurs (Aubure spruce Sr/Ca = 0.8×10−3; soil exchangeable Sr/Ca between 2 and 6×10−3). On calcareous soils, a preferential uptake of Sr over Ca by spruce may occur. (3) In spruce and beech on acid and calcareous soils, a preferential translocation of Ca over Sr from roots to leaves occurs ((Sr/Ca) in leaves was between 10 and 90% of that in roots). (4) The biological cycling of Ca and Sr leads to an enrichment of the upper soil layers in Ca and Sr. Compared to Sr, Ca accumulates in the upper layer of acid soils because Ca cycling through litterfall is favoured over Sr cycling, and possibly because of the selectivity of acid organic exchangers for Ca.

Forest soil fertility is generally estimated by studying the water and nutrient cycles essential to living organisms (i.e. biogeochemical cycles). Use of geochemical and/or isotopic tracers is an innovative, complementary approach to more traditional studies. Experimental procedures and results of some recent studies in forest ecosystems using natural tracers (e.g. 18O, 13C, 26Mg) or artificially supplied tracers (e.g. enrichment in Sr, Rb, 15N, 44Ca, 26Mg, 32P) are presented. Results are discussed in terms of relevance for using these tools to identify sources, to estimate residence times of water and elements, and to trace nutrient fluxes, of both organic and mineral origins, that are internal or external to the ecosystem.; La fertilité des sols forestiers est généralement estimée par l'étude des cycles de l'eau et des éléments nutritifs essentiels aux êtres vivants (cycles biogéochimiques). Parmi l'ensemble des méthodes d'étude de ces cycles, une approche innovante, complémentaire des études plus classiques, consiste à utiliser des traceurs géochimiques ou isotopiques. Les démarches expérimentales et résultats de quelques études récentes dans le domaine, utilisant des traceurs naturellement présents dans les écosystèmes (ex. 18O, 13C, 26Mg) ou artificiellement apportés (ex. enrichissements en Sr, Rb, 15N, 44Ca, 26Mg, 32P) seront présentés. Ces résultats seront discutés pour faire un point sur la pertinence d'utilisation de ces outils pour définir les sources, avoir accès au temps de résidence de l'eau et des éléments, et tracer les flux de nutriments qu'ils soient d'origine organique ou minérale, internes ou externes à l'écosystème.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Territoires [TR1_IRSTEA]SEDYVIN [Departement_IRSTEA]Territoires [TR1_IRSTEA]SEDYVIN; Forest soil fertility is generally estimated by studying the water and nutrient cycles essential to living organisms (i.e. biogeochemical cycles). Use of geochemical and/or isotopic tracers is an innovative, complementary approach to more traditional studies. Experimental procedures and results of some recent studies in forest ecosystems using natural tracers (e.g. 18O, 13C, 26Mg) or artificially supplied tracers (e.g. enrichment in Sr, Rb, 15N, 44Ca, 26Mg, 32P) are presented. Results are discussed in terms of relevance for using these tools to identify sources, to estimate residence times of water and elements, and to trace nutrient fluxes, of both organic and mineral origins, that are internal or external to the ecosystem.; La fertilité des sols forestiers est généralement estimée par l'étude des cycles de l'eau et des éléments nutritifs essentiels aux êtres vivants (cycles biogéochimiques). Parmi l'ensemble des méthodes d'étude de ces cycles, une approche innovante, complémentaire des études plus classiques, consiste à utiliser des traceurs géochimiques ou isotopiques. Les démarches expérimentales et résultats de quelques études récentes dans le domaine, utilisant des traceurs naturellement présents dans les écosystèmes (ex. 18O, 13C, 26Mg) ou artificiellement apportés (ex. enrichissements en Sr, Rb, 15N, 44Ca, 26Mg, 32P) seront présentés. Ces résultats seront discutés pour faire un point sur la pertinence d'utilisation de ces outils pour définir les sources, avoir accès au temps de résidence de l'eau et des éléments, et tracer les flux de nutriments qu'ils soient d'origine organique ou minérale, internes ou externes à l'écosystème.

The silicate mineral weathering potential of different weathering pattern soil bacteria was characterized, and links between key habitat determinants and soil bacteria strategies were established in this work. Phlogopite weathering experiments were conducted under aerobic conditions and in closed systems with bacterial communities isolated from different soil profiles that are typical of a temperate climate. Our results suggest that the phlogopite weathering processes (i.e., acidolysis and complexolysis processes) of bacterial communities is determined by soil horizons as a function of (i) organic matter content, (ii) impoverishment in clays in leached horizons and (iii) the content of exchangeable cations. In our experiments, bacterial communities developed two strategies for iron release from phlogopite: the first was the K-strategy, which is used by bacterial communities extracted from soil rich in nutrient elements (especially in horizons with high contents of exchangeable Mg, Ca, etc.) and organic carbon. These communities produced strong chelating organic acids in low concentrations and used small amounts of carbon. The other was the r-strategy for bacterial communities extracted from soils poor in nutrient elements and organic carbon content. They produced weak chelating organic acids in large amounts and used a large proportion of the carbon source.

From the summit downslope a granitic inselberg in French Guiana, soils and vegetation evolve from bare granite covered by cyanobacteria, to a savannah-type vegetation on thin patchy sandy accumulations, then to a low forest on shallow young soils and to a high forest on deep highly weathered ultisols. We have used element budgets and Sr isotopic variations in soils and plants to investigate the mineral nutrient supply sources of the different plant communities. Granite and atmospheric deposition have 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 1.3 and 0.71, respectively. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of cyanobacteria (0.72) suggests granite weathering by cyanobacteria crusts. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the savannah-type vegetation is 0.73 and varies between 0.75 and 0.76 in the low and high forest leaf litter regardless of soil depth, age and degree of impoverishment. These almost constant ratio suggest that forest Sr comes from rainwater and from the summit of this inselberg, where it is released and redistributed along the slope, by surface flow, lateral redistribution of litter, and mineral particles. However, because of its very low content in the rock and soils, Ca is supplied to plants by atmospheric deposition., Du sommet vers la base d’un inselberg granitique (Nouragues, Guyane Française), les sols et la végétation évoluent depuis des savanes sur des ilots sableux entre les affleurements rocheux couverts de cyanobactéries, vers une forêt basse sur sols peu épais, riches en minéraux altérables puis une forêt haute sur sols très profonds et altérés. Les variations isotopiques du strontium des sols et des plantes ont été mesurées pour rechercher les sources de nutriments des différentes communautés végétales. Les rapports 87Sr/86Sr du granite et des dépôts atmosphériques sont respectivement de 1,3 et 0,71. Le rapport 87Sr/86Sr des cyanobacteries (0,72) suggère une libération de Sr par altération du granite. Le rapport 87Sr/86Sr de la savanne est de 0,73 et varie entre 0,75 et 0,76 dans les litières de forêt basse et haute, quelle que soit la profondeur, et la richesse en minéraux altérables des sols. La faiblesse et l’homogénéité surprenante de ces rapports suggèrent une alimentation en Sr des forêts essentiellement à partir de dépôts atmosphériques et des sols de la partie haute de l’inselberg, via des écoulements de surface, des redistributions latérales de litière et de particules minerales lors de crises érosives. Cependant, en raison de l’extrême pauvreté de la roche et des sols en calcium, le Ca des communautés végétales provient de la pluie.

Recent studies have shown that organic chlorine is retained in the soil and is formed by a chlorination process mainly from the microbial activity of the soi still poorly documented. The aim of this study is to estimate the organic and inorganic forms of chlorine in contrasting soil and highlight the evolution of these forms according to certain environmental parameters or terms of incubations and to the activity of microorganisms. For this, the organo-mineral horizons of contrasting soil were studied (i) in situ: The amounts of chlorine and physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of soil were measured; (ii) in two experimental devices incubations under different conditions. Measurements of chlorine levels between the beginning and the end of the first experiment were measured by AOX analyzer. For the second experiment, the soil was previously enriched with Na37Cl and 37Cl levels were measured by HR ICP MS. Soil samples from these incubations were analyzed by Xanes spectrometry to identify the speciation of chlorine forms in soils. Soil non-extractable organic chlorine contents represent almost all of the chlorine. The parameters that influence the distribution of chlorine contents in soils correspond to vegetation cover, pH, organic carbon content and quantities of microorganisms. The chlorine contents measured by AOX analyzer and by HR ICP MS highlight an organic chlorine formation over time in relation to the microorganims in the soil. The measures carried out by HR ICP MS show also an organic chlorine formation in abiotic conditions. Conversely, XANES spectrometry measurements have show any organic chlorine formation, Des études ont démontré que du chlore organique est retenu dans les sols et serait formé par un processus de chloruration issu de l’activité microbienne des sols. Le but de cette étude est d’estimer les formes organiques de chlore dans des sols contrastés et de mettre en évidence l’évolution de ces formes de chlore selon certains paramètres environnementaux ou modalités d’incubations en fonction de l’activité des microorganismes. Les horizons organo-minéraux de sols contrastés ont été étudiés (i) in situ : Les quantités de chlore et les paramètres physico-chimiques et microbiologiques de sols ont été mesuré ; (ii) dans deux dispositifs d’incubations sous différentes modalités. Les mesures des teneurs en chlore entre le début et la fin de la première expérience ont été mesurées par analyseur d’AOX. Pour la deuxième expérience, les sols ont été enrichis en Na37Cl et les teneurs en 37Cl ont été mesurées par ICP MS HR. Des mesures par spectrométrie Xanes ont été réalisées pour préciser la spéciation du chlore des sols. Les teneurs en chlore organique non extractibles représentent presque la totalité du chlore. Les paramètres qui influencent la répartition des teneurs en chlore correspondent au couvert végétal, au pH, à la teneur en carbone organique et aux quantités de microorganismes. Les teneurs en chlore mesurées par analyseur d’AOX et par ICP MS HR ont permis de mettre en évidence une formation de chlore organique en relation avec les paramètres microbiologiques. Les mesures par ICP MS HR ont montré une formation de chlore organique en conditions abiotiques. Les analyses par spectrométrie XANES n’ont pas permis de mettre en évidence une formation de chlore organique

The bacteria, through their diversity and activities play an important role in soil functioning. They are actively involved in the degradation of organic matter (OM) and this function is often used as an indicator of the biological quality of soils. The heterotrophic bacteria are also involved directly or not to the weathering of silicate minerals (group of primary and secondary minerals in soils). The silicate weathering controlled the leaching of essential major mineral elements (e.g. Fe, Mg) in solution, the neutralization of acids in soils (from atmospheric deposition, degradation of litter, biological activity) and the sequestration of atmospheric CO2. This step is therefore essential to maintaining soil fertility in terrestrial ecosystems. However, although the main weathering processes of silicates are well known in aerobic (i.e. the proton- and ligand-promoted dissolution), this function of bacterial weathering of silicate minerals has never been used as a biological indicator of soil fertility. In fact, there is no simple standardized method to identify these processes, especially when they can be accelerated or enhanced by more or less specific root and / or microbial activities. The first aim of this work was therefore to identify the process of weathering in two phyllosilicates (biotite, phlogopite) by heterotrophic bacteria and their variability. The originality of this work is to use an empirical model of silicates weathering based on the activity of protons and ligands to identify and study the interactions between bacteria and minerals. Tracing of weathering processes by isotopic approach using stable isotopes of magnesium has also been tested. The second aim of this work was to correlate the “silicate weathering” function of bacterial communities of various soils in field conditions. This study confirms that the partial oxidation of glucose to organic acids is the predominant mechanism by which bacteria accelerate the leaching of elements (Fe, Mg...) under aerobic conditions during the weathering of biotite and phlogopite especially at pH close to neutrality. The results demonstrate that bacteria secrete organic acids. The nature and quantity of these acids depend on the nature of limiting nutrients and more generally the experimental conditions of growth. The empirical model used has been adapted to compare the initial release rate of iron (and other elements) in bacterial and abiotic weathering of mica to identify the two major processes (i.e. the proton- and ligand-promoted dissolution) involved. This approach highlighted the identification of phenotypes according to the metabolism and the competence of the bacterial strains used. The study with stable isotopes of Mg as tracers of weathering showed no fractionation during the proton- and ligandpromoted dissolution. Two tendencies could however be highlighted and appear accentuated when the fraction of Mg leached increases: (1) where the dominant process is the the proton-promoted dissolution, Mg leach solution is enriched in heavy isotopes compared to the isotopic composition of phlogopite (2) when the dominant process is the ligand-promoted dissolution, Mg leach solution is enriched in light isotopes compared with phlogopite. Using the model in the second part of this work showed that the silicate weathering potential by microbial communities depends on their origin and in particular the contents of organic matter and nutrients (exchangeable cations) of soil horizons sampled. Two strategies of silicate weathering in these communities have been identified: (1) the bacterial communities isolated from organic and mineral nutrient-rich horizons released few organic acids, but very chelating. They have a slow metabolism (strategy = K) and very efficient, allowing a substantial release of iron, (2) communities isolated from organic and mineral nutrient-poor horizons release many low chelating organic acids. Their rapid metabolism (r = strategy) promotes the formation of new cells, but not an efficient release of iron. Finally, the interdisciplinary approach proposed in this work to identify and characterize the weathering of phyllosilicates by soil heterotrophic bacteria or communities in different environments. It provides a original and promising tool for identifying functional to evaluate the quality of natural soils or follow the restoration of anthropic soil., Les bactéries, via leur diversité et leurs activités, jouent un rôle important dans le fonctionnement des sols. Elles participent activement à la dégradation des matières organiques (MO) et cette fonction est souvent utilisée comme indicateur de la qualité biologique des sols. Les bactéries hétérotrophes participent aussi activement, directement ou indirectement, à l’altération des silicates, groupe prédominant de minéraux primaires et secondaires dans les sols. L’altération des silicates contrôle en partie la lixiviation d’éléments minéraux majeurs essentiels (Fe, Mg) en solution, la neutralisation d’acides dans les sols (issus des dépôts atmosphériques, de la dégradation des litières, de l’activité biologique), et la séquestration du CO2 atmosphérique. Cette étape clé est donc essentielle au maintien de la fertilité des sols dans les écosystèmes continentaux. Cependant, même si les principaux processus d’altération des silicates sont bien connus en milieu aérobie (i.e. l’acidolyse et la complexolyse), cette fonction d’altération bactérienne des silicates n’a jamais été utilisée comme indicateur biologique de la fertilité des sols. En fait il n’existe pas de méthode simple standardisée d’identification de ces processus surtout lorsque ceux-ci peuvent être accélérés ou amplifiés par des activités racinaires et/ou microbiennes plus ou moins spécifiques.Le premier objectif de ce travail de thèse a donc été d’identifier les processus d’altération de deux silicates modèles (biotite, phlogopite) par des bactéries hétérotrophes ainsi que leur variabilité. L’originalité de ce travail est d’utiliser un modèle d’altération empirique basé sur l’activité des protons et ligands pour identifier et étudier les interactions entre les bactéries et les minéraux. Le traçage des processus d’altération par une approche isotopique utilisant les isotopes stables du magnésium a également été testé. Le second objectif de la thèse a été de corréler la fonction d’altération de communautés bactériennes aux conditions naturelles rencontrées dans différents sols.Ce travail confirme que l’oxydation partielle du glucose en acides organiques est le mécanisme prédominant par lequel les bactéries amplifient la lixiviation d’éléments (Fe, Mg...) en condition aérobie lors de l’altération de la biotite et de la phlogopite, surtout pour des pH proches de la neutralité. Les résultats démontrent que les bactéries sécrètent des acides organiques dont la nature et la quantité sont fonction de la nature des nutriments limitants et plus généralement des conditions expérimentales de croissances. Le modèle empirique utilisé a été adapté pour permettre de comparer les taux de libération initiaux du fer (et d’autres éléments) lors de l’altération abiotique et bactérienne de micas afin d’identifier les deux processus majeurs (acidolyse et complexolyse) impliqués. Cette approche a permis de mettre en évidence des phénotypes d’altération en fonction du métabolisme et la compétence des souches bactériennes utilisées. L’étude menée avec les isotopes stables du Mg comme traceurs d’altération n’a pas montré de fractionnements signant chaque processus. Deux tendances ont pu cependant être mises en évidence et semblent accentuées lorsque la fraction de Mg lixivié augmente : (1) lorsquele processus dominant est l’acidolyse, le Mg lixivié en solution est enrichi en isotopes lourds par rapport à la composition isotopique de la phlogopite (2) lorsque le processus dominant est la complexolyse, le Mg lixivié en solution est enrichi en isotopes légers par rapport à la phlogopite. L’utilisation du modèle dans la seconde partie de ces travaux a permis de montrer que le potentiel d’altérationdes silicates par les communautés bactériennes dépend de leur origine et en particulier des teneurs en matière organique et en nutriments (cations échangeables) des horizons de sols échantillonnés. Deux stratégies d’altération des silicates par ces communautés ont pu être mises en évidence : (1) les communautés bactériennes isolées des horizons riches en MO libèrent peu d’acides organiques, mais très complexants. Elles ont un métabolisme lent (= stratégie K) et très efficace, permettant une libération importante de fer, (2) les communautés isolées d’horizons pauvres en MO libèrent beaucoup d’acides organiques avec un faible pouvoir complexant. Leur métabolisme rapide (= stratégie r) favorise la formation de nouvelles cellules, mais pas une libération efficace du fer.Pour conclure, l’approche interdisciplinaire proposée dans ce travail permet d’identifier et de caractériser les processus d’altération de phyllosilicates par des bactéries ou des communautés hétérotrophes du sol dans différents environnements. Elle offre un outil d’identification fonctionnel original et prometteur pour évaluer la qualité des sols naturels ou suivre la restauration des sols anthropisés.