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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Mar. Sci.
Sec. Marine Biogeochemistry
Volume 12 - 2025 |
doi: 10.3389/fmars.2025.1533654
This article is part of the Research Topic Biogeochemical Cycling and Depositional Processes of Critical Metals in the Deep Sea and Their Constraints on Global Changes View all 8 articles
Bacterial Contributions to the Formation of Polymetallic Nodules in the Pacific Ocean
Provisionally accepted
Xinyi He 1,2,3
Qian Liu 4
Xiaohu Li 1,2* Zhenggang Li 2* Hao Wang 2* Zhimin Zhu 2* Yanhui Dong 2*
Jie Li 2 Huaiming Li 2*- 1 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- 2 Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
- 3 Bureau of Marine Development, Qingdao West Coast New Area, Qingdao, China
- 4 Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography，Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Polymetallic nodules, widely distributed in the deep seafloor of the Pacific Ocean, are characterized by their abundance of diverse metal elements and considerable economic value. Previous studies have suggested a partial biogenic origin of these nodules. This study investigated the role of microorganisms in nodule formation by examining biological-like structures and bacterial communities within nodules and sediments. Scanning electron microscopy revealed bacteria-like microspheres, skeleton-like structures and extracellular polymeric substances-like structures in the nodules. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that these biological-like structures facilitated metal enrichment, enabling subsequent mineral precipitation. Shewanella, Colwellia, Leptospirillum, Sulfitobacter, and other bacteria may possess mineralization potential due to their Mn or Fe oxidation capabilities. Differences in internal structures and bacterial community composition between nodules from the western and eastern Pacific Ocean could potentially suggest that growth environment factors may contribute to nodule formation variation. These findings highlight the involvement of microorganisms in nodule formation and contribute to a better understanding of the biogenic mineralization process.
Keywords: polymetallic nodules, sediment, bacterial composition, Biomineralization, scanning electron microscope, Pacific Ocean
Received: 24 Nov 2024; Accepted: 03 Feb 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 He, Liu, Li, Li, Wang, Zhu, Dong, Li and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Xiaohu Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Zhenggang Li, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Hao Wang, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Zhimin Zhu, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Yanhui Dong, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Huaiming Li, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
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