æz ðeɪ ɑːɹ ɹᵻspˈɑːnsᵻbəl fɚðə lˌɪbɚɹˈeɪʃən ʌv mˈɛni kɹˈuːʃəl njˈuːtɹiənts, ænd pɑːɹtˈɪsᵻpˌeɪt ɪnðə fɔːɹmˈeɪʃən ʌv sˈɔɪl, lˈɪθoʊjˌuːɾətɹˌɑːfz plˈeɪ ɐ kɹˈuːʃəl ɹˈoʊl ɪnðə mˈeɪntənəns ʌv lˈaɪf ˌɔn ˈɜːθ.
As they are responsible for the liberation of many crucial nutrients, and participate in the formation of soil, lithoautotrophs play a crucial role in the maintenance of life on Earth.