and described in this review. Moreover, exo-lithobiontic microbes have been
identified and attributed to the precipitation of minerals (Dupraz and Visscher
2005). Recent studies allowed first identifications of DNA fragments, isolated
from within the mineralic part of the polymetallic nodules (Wang et al. 2009d),
indicating the existence of endolithobiontic microbes. Focusing on bacteria,
strategies had already been developed to utilize microorganisms for biosynthesis
and bioleaching of manganese marine deposits (Ehrlich 2001). As a conclusion, it
can be expected that in the nearest future, microorganisms will also be isolated that
may be used for the accumulation and concentration of trace elements from the
marine environment.
Acknowledgment We thank the Research group “Surface Chemistry” of Dr. I. Lieberwirth and
Dr M. Kappl (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research; Mainz) for important contributions in
electron microscopic and spectroscopic analyses. This work was supported by grants from the
Bundesministerium f€ ur Bildung und Forschung Germany [project: Center of Excellence
BIOTECmarin], and from the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of
China (Grant No. 2008DFA00980).
References
Althoff K, Sch€ utt C, Steffen R, Batel R, M€ uller WEG (1998) Evidence for a symbiosis between
bacteria of the genus Rhodobacter and the marine sponge Halichondria panicea: harbor also
for putatively-toxic bacteria? Mar Biol 130:529–536
Amy PS, Caldwell BA, Soeldner AH, Morita RY, Albright LJ (1987) Microbial activity and
ultrastructure of mineral-based marine snow from Howe Sound, British Columbia. Can J Fish
Aquat Sci 44:1135–1142
Anufriev G, Boltenkov BS (2007) Ferromanganese nodules of the Baltic Sea: composition, helium
isotopes, and growth rate. Lithol Miner Resour 42:240–245
Bau M, Koschinsky A, Dulski P, Hein JR (1996) Comparison of the partitioning behaviours of
yttrium, rare earth elements, and titanium between hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese crusts
and seawater. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:1709–1725
Bazylinski DA, Frankel RB (2003) Biologically controlled mineralization in prokaryotes. Rev
Mineral Geochem 54:217–247
Bonatti E, Nayudu YR (1965) The origin of manganese nodules on the ocean floor. Am J Sci
263:17–39
Bruland KW, Orians KJ, Cowen JP (1994) Reactive trace metals in the stratified central North
Pacific. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 58:3171–3182
Cha JN, Shimizu K, Zhou Y, Christianssen SC, Chmelka BF, Stucky GD, Morse DE (1999)
Silicatein filaments and subunits from a marine sponge direct the polymerization of silica and
silicones in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96:361–365
Chukhrov FV, Zvyagin BB, Yermilova LP, Gorshkov AI (1976) Mineralogical criteria in the
origin of marine iron-manganese nodules. Miner Deposita (Berl) 11:24–32
Cottrell MT, Mannino A, Kirchman DL (2006) Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in the
Mid-Atlantic Bight and the North Pacific Gyre. Appl Environ Microbiol 72:557–564
Cowen JP, Bruland KW (1985) Metal deposits associated with bacteria: implications for Fe and
Mn marine geochemistry. Deep-Sea Res 32A:253–272
Cowen JP, DeCarlo EH, McGee DL (1993) Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic dating of a
ferromanganese crust from Schumann Seamount. Mar Geol 115:289–306
4 Biogenic origin of nodules and crusts
105
identified and attributed to the precipitation of minerals (Dupraz and Visscher
2005). Recent studies allowed first identifications of DNA fragments, isolated
from within the mineralic part of the polymetallic nodules (Wang et al. 2009d),
indicating the existence of endolithobiontic microbes. Focusing on bacteria,
strategies had already been developed to utilize microorganisms for biosynthesis
and bioleaching of manganese marine deposits (Ehrlich 2001). As a conclusion, it
can be expected that in the nearest future, microorganisms will also be isolated that
may be used for the accumulation and concentration of trace elements from the
marine environment.
Acknowledgment We thank the Research group “Surface Chemistry” of Dr. I. Lieberwirth and
Dr M. Kappl (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research; Mainz) for important contributions in
electron microscopic and spectroscopic analyses. This work was supported by grants from the
Bundesministerium f€ ur Bildung und Forschung Germany [project: Center of Excellence
BIOTECmarin], and from the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of
China (Grant No. 2008DFA00980).
References
Althoff K, Sch€ utt C, Steffen R, Batel R, M€ uller WEG (1998) Evidence for a symbiosis between
bacteria of the genus Rhodobacter and the marine sponge Halichondria panicea: harbor also
for putatively-toxic bacteria? Mar Biol 130:529–536
Amy PS, Caldwell BA, Soeldner AH, Morita RY, Albright LJ (1987) Microbial activity and
ultrastructure of mineral-based marine snow from Howe Sound, British Columbia. Can J Fish
Aquat Sci 44:1135–1142
Anufriev G, Boltenkov BS (2007) Ferromanganese nodules of the Baltic Sea: composition, helium
isotopes, and growth rate. Lithol Miner Resour 42:240–245
Bau M, Koschinsky A, Dulski P, Hein JR (1996) Comparison of the partitioning behaviours of
yttrium, rare earth elements, and titanium between hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese crusts
and seawater. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:1709–1725
Bazylinski DA, Frankel RB (2003) Biologically controlled mineralization in prokaryotes. Rev
Mineral Geochem 54:217–247
Bonatti E, Nayudu YR (1965) The origin of manganese nodules on the ocean floor. Am J Sci
263:17–39
Bruland KW, Orians KJ, Cowen JP (1994) Reactive trace metals in the stratified central North
Pacific. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 58:3171–3182
Cha JN, Shimizu K, Zhou Y, Christianssen SC, Chmelka BF, Stucky GD, Morse DE (1999)
Silicatein filaments and subunits from a marine sponge direct the polymerization of silica and
silicones in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96:361–365
Chukhrov FV, Zvyagin BB, Yermilova LP, Gorshkov AI (1976) Mineralogical criteria in the
origin of marine iron-manganese nodules. Miner Deposita (Berl) 11:24–32
Cottrell MT, Mannino A, Kirchman DL (2006) Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in the
Mid-Atlantic Bight and the North Pacific Gyre. Appl Environ Microbiol 72:557–564
Cowen JP, Bruland KW (1985) Metal deposits associated with bacteria: implications for Fe and
Mn marine geochemistry. Deep-Sea Res 32A:253–272
Cowen JP, DeCarlo EH, McGee DL (1993) Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic dating of a
ferromanganese crust from Schumann Seamount. Mar Geol 115:289–306
4 Biogenic origin of nodules and crusts
105