Thus, one might expect a similar kind of opening of the iron-free structure to expose charged ligands and to allow entrance of ferrous ions.

Deoxyhemerythrin contains two high-spin ferrous ions bridged by hydroxyl group (A).

It consists in the oxidation of organic matter using hydroxyl radicals generated from hydrogen peroxide by ferrous ions.

The ferrous ion is then oxidized by bacteria using oxygen:

The net reaction of a ferric ion with hydrogen peroxide is a ferrous ion and oxygen.

The iron also becomes a ferrous ion.

Results of the optical studies show that both minerals have ferrous and ferric ions (Chandrasekhar, 2003).

This often happens when ferrous ions come into contact with water (due to dissolved oxygen within surface waters) and a water-mineral reaction occurs.

Above 5 GPa, iron will split water yielding the hydride and ferrous ions:

It acts by chelating ferrous ions essential for metabolism.