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The development of Fe-nodules surrounding biological material mediated by microorganisms

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Takashikozo is a phenomenon of Quaternary sediments in Japan. They are cylindrical Fe-oxyhydroxide nodules that form as plaques round plant roots, where Fe is preferentially concentrated to develop a solid wall. Structural features suggest that after the roots have decayed, the central space where the roots were situated acts as a flow path for oxidized water. Analysis of microbial 16S rDNA extracted from the nodules identified iron-oxidizing bacteria encrusted round the roots where they are the likely initiators of nodule formation. Direct microscopic observation revealed an accumulation of Fe-oxyhydroxides that fill the pore spaces and is also likely to be linked with the encrusting microbial colonies. Geological history and nanofossil evidence suggest that these Fe-nodules may have been buried at a depth of up to several tens of meters for at least 105 years in reducing Quaternary sediments. Thus Fe-oxyhydroxide nodules that have formed in a geological environment at the interfaces between water and rock by microbial mediation can persist under reducing conditions. If this is the case, the phenomenon is significant as an analogue of post-closure conditions in radioactive waste repositories, since it could influence nuclide migration.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. M. Adachi, Dr. S. Nishida and Dr. S. Wallis of Nagoya University, Dr. G. Clarke of The Natural History Museum, London, Dr. I. McKinley of MCM Consulting and Dr. K. Matsuoka of Toyohashi Museum of Natural History for valuable discussion and comments on the manuscript. Dr. Y. Hotta of Asahi University for School of Dentistry, Ms. M. Nozaki of The Nagoya University Museum and Mr. S. Yogo of Nagoya University Center for Chronological Research are also acknowledged for their assistance during the processing of microscopic samples, and for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nagoya University Museum Material Research Section, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan

    Hidekazu Yoshida

  2. Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan

    Koshi Yamamoto & Nagayoshi Katsuta

  3. Geological Isolation Research and Development Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Mizunami, Gifu, Japan

    Yuki Murakami

  4. Department of Dental Pharmacology, Asahi University, Hozumi, Gifu, Japan

    Toru Hayashi

  5. Graduate School of Biosphere Sciences, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-4-4, Higashi Hiroshima, Japan

    Takeshi Naganuma

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  1. Hidekazu Yoshida
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Correspondence to Hidekazu Yoshida.

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Yoshida, H., Yamamoto, K., Murakami, Y. et al. The development of Fe-nodules surrounding biological material mediated by microorganisms. Environ Geol 55, 1363–1374 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1087-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1087-x

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