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Biogenic Origin of Polymetallic Nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Electron Microscopic and EDX Evidence

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Abstract

Polymetallic/ferromanganese nodules (Mn-nodules) have been assigned a huge economic potential since they contain considerable concentrations of manganese, copper, nickel, iron, and cobalt. It has been assumed that they are formed by, besides hydrogenous, nonbiogenic processes, biogenic processes based on metabolic processes driven by microorganisms. In the present study, we applied the techniques of digital optical microscopy and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy to search for microorganisms in Mn-nodules. They were collected from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and are composed of Mn (23.9%), Cu (0.69%), Ni (1.02%), Fe (10.9%), and Co (0.29%). These Mn-nodules, between 2.3 and 4.8 cm, show a distinct lamination; they are composed of small-sized micronodules, 100 to 450 μm in size, which are bound together by an interstitial whitish material. In the micronodules, a dense accumulation of microorganisms/bacteria could be visualized. Only two morphotypes exist: (1) round-shaped cocci and (2) elongated rods. The cocci (diameter: ≈3.5 μm) are arranged in bead-like chains, while the rods (≈2 × 0.4 μm) are arranged either as palisades or in a linear row. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses showed that the areas rich in microorganisms/bacteria are also rich in Mn, while in regions where no microorganisms are found, the element Si is dominant. We suggest that growth of the Mn-nodules starts with the formation of “micronodules.” The formation of micronodules is assumed to be mediated by microorganisms. After accretion of biogenic and additional nonbiogenic minerals, the micronodules assemble to large nodules on the sea floor through additional inclusion of nonbiogenic material.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Mr. G. Glasser and Ms. M. Müller (Research group “Surface Chemistry” Dr. I. Lieberwirth and Dr M. Kappl; Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research; Mainz) for excellent assistance in electron microscopic analysis. We thank Prof. Dr. G.N. Baturin (Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) for helpful advices. This work was supported by grants from the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung Germany (project: Center of Excellence BIOTECmarin), from International S & T Cooperation Program of China (Grant No. 2008DFA00980) and from the Key Laboratory of Marine Sedimentology and Environmental Geology, State Oceanic Administration (Grant No. MASEG200602).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China

    Xiaohong Wang

  2. National Research Center for Geoanalysis, 26 Baiwanzhuang Dajie, 100037, Beijing, China

    Xiaohong Wang

  3. Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Duesbergweg 6, 55099, Mainz, Germany

    Ute Schloßmacher, Matthias Wiens, Heinz C. Schröder & Werner E. G. Müller

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  1. Xiaohong Wang
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  2. Ute Schloßmacher
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  5. Werner E. G. Müller
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Correspondence to Xiaohong Wang or Werner E. G. Müller.

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Wang, X., Schloßmacher, U., Wiens, M. et al. Biogenic Origin of Polymetallic Nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Electron Microscopic and EDX Evidence. Mar Biotechnol 11, 99–108 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-008-9124-7

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