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Fungal manganese oxidation in a reduced soil
Ian A Thompson1, Don M Huber, Chris A Guest
1Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. thompson@purdue.edu
Environmental Microbiology
|August 18, 2005
Summary
Soil fungi directly oxidize manganese (Mn) under natural conditions. This study observed Mn accumulation near fungal hyphae, confirming fungi
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Environmental Microbiology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Manganese (Mn) chemistry in soils involves complex biotic and abiotic interactions.
- The specific role of soil-borne fungi in mediating Mn reactions is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly observe fungal Mn oxidation in soil under near in situ conditions.
- To isolate, identify, and confirm the role of fungi in observed Mn oxidation.
- To present a model explaining the observed Mn oxide distribution.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of soil in specialized sample cells under varying moisture conditions.
- Synchrotron microspectroscopic techniques for high-resolution analysis (areas as small as 38x40 microm2).
- Isolation and culturing of Mn-oxidizing fungi from soil samples.
- Reinoculation of sterile soil with isolated fungi to confirm Mn oxidation.
Main Results:
- Mn redistribution and accumulation in distinct circular or dendritic patterns near the air-soil interface in water-saturated soil incubated for >=7 days.
- Absence of Mn oxidation at 3°C and 52°C, indicating microbial mediation.
- Formation of manganese oxides around fungal hyphae upon reinoculation of sterile soil with isolated Mn-oxidizing fungi.
Conclusions:
- Direct observation of Mn oxidation by soil-inhabiting fungi under in situ conditions.
- Mn-oxidizing fungi likely play a significant, yet underappreciated, role in soil Mn cycling.
- A model was developed to explain the zonal distribution of Mn oxides observed in the study.
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